Black Cap Jawfish

The Black Cap Jawfish is a stunningly attractive small fish that has become highly sought after by reef aquarists for its striking contrast of colors. Its body ranges from pale yellow to creamy white, topped with a distinctive jet-black cap or hood that covers the head and nape area. This bold color contrast, combined with the species' large expressive eyes and endearing hovering behavior, makes it one of the most visually appealing jawfish available in the marine trade.

Like all jawfish, the Black Cap Jawfish is a dedicated burrow builder that constructs an elaborate vertical tunnel in the substrate, reinforced with carefully selected pieces of rubble, shell fragments, and small rocks. It spends its day hovering vertically just above the burrow entrance, darting back inside tail-first at the slightest disturbance. Watching a Black Cap Jawfish industriously arrange and rearrange its burrow construction materials is one of the most entertaining behaviors in the marine aquarium hobby.

This species requires a deep sand bed of at least 3 to 4 inches, mixed with rubble and shell pieces for burrow construction. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely critical, as jawfish are notorious jumpers, especially during their first few weeks in a new aquarium or when startled. The Black Cap Jawfish is completely reef-safe and will not bother corals or invertebrates. It is a peaceful species that does best with calm, non-threatening tankmates. Its small size of about 4 inches means it can be kept in tanks as small as 30 gallons, making it accessible to aquarists without massive systems.