denise
10-31-2008, 04:58 PM
Jawfish are distinguished by having heads, mouths, and eyes that are large in size relative to the rest of their body. They spend most their time hiding in small burrows, that they make by collecting and spitting sand out of their mouths. They don’t venture far from their burrows, and when they do they quickly retreat back to them if they sense the slightest bit of danger.
Jawfish are found on shallow coral reefs throughout the world where they mainly feed on plankton and other tiny creatures like shrimp and fry (young fish).
Jawfish are mouthbrooders, eggs are incubated and hatched in the male parents mouth!! He holds them here until they grow big enough to swim and fend for themselves.
There are more than 70 species of jawfish worldwide, consisting of 40 described and named species and another 30 un-described! Six of these are commonly found in Florida.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/fishbeddis_2.JPG
Yellow-headed jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons, Boynton Beach
Photo by Debi Buck
The yellow headed jawfish is found along coral reefs throughout the Caribbean Sea. The head and upper body is bright yellow, fading to a white under belly and blue on the tail section.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/yellowgardeneelrob_2.jpg
They are normally only seen with only the head and chest region protruding from their burrow, although this specimen was snapped as it hovered above its burrow!
Jawfish are found on shallow coral reefs throughout the world where they mainly feed on plankton and other tiny creatures like shrimp and fry (young fish).
Jawfish are mouthbrooders, eggs are incubated and hatched in the male parents mouth!! He holds them here until they grow big enough to swim and fend for themselves.
There are more than 70 species of jawfish worldwide, consisting of 40 described and named species and another 30 un-described! Six of these are commonly found in Florida.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/debbiebuck/fishbeddis_2.JPG
Yellow-headed jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons, Boynton Beach
Photo by Debi Buck
The yellow headed jawfish is found along coral reefs throughout the Caribbean Sea. The head and upper body is bright yellow, fading to a white under belly and blue on the tail section.
http://www.scubadiver.cc/fishid/yellowgardeneelrob_2.jpg
They are normally only seen with only the head and chest region protruding from their burrow, although this specimen was snapped as it hovered above its burrow!