Dusky Jawfish

The dusky jawfish is a compact, mottled brown-and-black Caribbean burrower that is inexpensive, widely available and one of the hardier jawfish for a first attempt at the group. It is more territorial towards its own kind than the closely related pearly jawfish, so stick to one per tank unless the sand area is large enough for separate burrows. It needs a deep mixed sand-and-rubble bed to construct its burrow, a tight-fitting lid or mesh top since it jumps readily, and a diet of small meaty foods (mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood) offered a few times a day. It is reef-safe with corals but should be kept with caution around very small ornamental shrimp, which it may treat as food.