Gold-specs Jawfish

The Gold-specs Jawfish is a charming and somewhat uncommon jawfish species that features a pale white to light cream body accented with distinctive golden speckling concentrated on the face, head, and gill covers. These gold flecks shimmer under aquarium lighting, giving the fish a subtle but elegant appearance. Its large, expressive eyes and hovering posture above its burrow entrance are characteristic of all jawfish and contribute to this species' considerable appeal among dedicated reef aquarists.

This species remains scientifically undescribed, referred to by the placeholder designation Opistognathus sp., and is primarily collected from reef areas in the Philippines and Indonesia. Like its relatives, it is a committed burrow builder that constructs a reinforced vertical tunnel in the substrate, using small pieces of rubble, coral fragments, and shell debris as construction material. It hovers vertically above the burrow entrance during the day, retreating tail-first into its shelter when threatened. This behavior provides endless entertainment for aquarium observers.

The Gold-specs Jawfish requires a deep sand bed of at least 3 inches mixed with rubble for burrow construction, and a tightly sealed lid is essential to prevent jumping, which is the leading cause of death for jawfish in captivity. At about 3 inches maximum, this species is well-suited to smaller reef aquariums of 30 gallons or more. It is completely reef-safe and will not disturb corals or invertebrates. Peaceful tankmates are strongly recommended, as aggressive or highly active fish can stress jawfish into remaining hidden in their burrows permanently or, worse, attempting to jump from the tank.