Short Polyp Goniopora Coral: Green - Aquacultured, Size 2.25 - 3.5 inches 
Pearly Jawfish
Opistognathus aurifons
Price range: $39.99 through $70.99
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only 2 left | 2.25 - 3.5" - Caribbean | Original price was: $75.99.$39.99Current price is: $39.99. |
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| In Stock | 2.25" or smaller - Caribbean | $70.99 |
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Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Peaceful |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.020–1.023 |
The Pearly Jawfish (often sold as the Yellowhead Jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons) is a Caribbean burrow-dweller with a bright yellow head that fades into a pearly blue body. It’s a reef-safe fish that spends much of its day stationed at the entrance of its home, watching the tank from the sandbed.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering just above its burrow, often in a slightly “upright” posture
- Carrying and repositioning small shells or rubble to reinforce its tunnel
- Quick retreats into the burrow when the tank gets active, then reappearing to “check” the area
- Burrow entrances that change shape from day to day as it continues to renovate
To help it settle in, provide a 3–4 inch sandbed with mixed grain sizes plus small shells or rubble for building. Keep rockwork stable (set on the glass, not on loose sand) and leave an open sand zone near the front for a visible burrow. Offer small meaty foods in the water column so it can grab bites and return to its home base.
Is it normal for a Pearly Jawfish to “disappear” for a day or two?
Yes—many will stay tucked in while they finish a burrow and get comfortable, then resume hovering at the entrance once the spot feels established.
Why does it seal the burrow entrance (especially at night)?
Many jawfish plug the opening with sand, shells, or rubble as part of their normal day/night routine for protection, then reopen it when active again.
How can I encourage it to build a burrow where I can actually see it?
A shallow starter “dip” in the sand near a rock edge, plus a small pile of shells nearby, often nudges it to claim that area and build upward-facing entrances.
Will it take over a goby/shrimp burrow or fight over tunnels?
They usually prefer their own build, but they may investigate nearby burrows; providing multiple shell/rubble piles helps everyone establish separate entrances.
What’s a simple way to make sure it gets food in a busy community tank?
Many hobbyists use a feeding pipette/turkey baster at first—placing food near the burrow entrance—until the fish confidently joins the normal water-column feeding response.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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