Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Bluespot Jawfish
Opistognathus rosenblatti Allen & Robertson, 1991
Also called Blue-spotted jawfish, Bluespotted jawfish, Bocón manchas azules
From Eastern central Pacific, where it is found in the Gulf of California.12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Scaled, elongated burrowing fish with large eyes
A slender jawfish with big eyes and a large mouth. Adults are yellow to orange or brown and covered in electric-blue spots, with yellow dorsal fins. Courting males turn stark white on the front half of the body, while juveniles are plain yellow with blue spots.2
Personality what they are like
Sociable with its own kind in loose colonies, but it will stand up for its burrow against intruders.2
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Active around its burrow; males dash up into the water above the burrow to court females, and the fish are busiest in the warmer months.2
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
A cool-water species from the Gulf of California rather than a typical tropical reef fish, so it needs a system kept cooler than a standard reef tank. Provide a deep sand and rubble bed for digging and a secure lid.32
Home where they are happiest
A tank with a deep sandy-rubble bottom for burrows. Wild colonies live over sand and rubble on reefs from the surface to about 12 m deep. Exact aquarium temperature figures were not found in reliable sources.123
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivorous. It eats small invertebrates from the bottom and from the plankton; in captivity offer small meaty marine foods.12
Company who they like around
Naturally colonial, living about 1 to 3 m apart in groups that can number in the hundreds. Mouthbrooding pairs form during the breeding season.2
The story where it all began
Gerald Allen and D. Ross Robertson described the species in 1991, making it a fairly recent addition to the list of eastern Pacific reef fishes. Its name honours Richard H. Rosenblatt (1930 to 2014), an ichthyologist at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed May 2007)1
- Taxonomy
- Family Opistognathidae; described by Gerald Allen and D. Ross Robertson in 19911
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Bluespot Jawfish. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Bluespot Jawfish?
Feed small amounts once or twice a day, every day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests this routine. Always check the food label and ask your vet for exact portions.1 Furry Diary plan
What does a Bluespot Jawfish eat, and what should it never eat?
It eats small meaty marine foods like invertebrates from the bottom or plankton. Never feed it anything not meant for carnivorous marine fish; avoid large or hard foods that could harm its mouth.12
How much space does a Bluespot Jawfish need?
It needs a tank with a deep sandy-rubble bottom for burrows. Exact tank size varies; ask a good breeder or exotic-pet vet for the right volume.123
What temperature, light or water does a Bluespot Jawfish need?
This cool-water species needs a system kept cooler than a standard reef tank. Exact temperature figures were not found; check with a vet or experienced breeder for the right range.32
How often should I clean a Bluespot Jawfish's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly water test and glass cleaning, with a 10 to 20% water change every two weeks. Top up evaporation daily with fresh RO water. Furry Diary plan
Can a Bluespot Jawfish live with others?
Yes, it is sociable with its own kind in loose colonies, but it will defend its burrow from intruders. Pairs form during breeding season.2
How long does a Bluespot Jawfish live?
Lifespan varies and is not specified in reliable sources. Ask a vet or good breeder for an estimate.
Can I handle a Bluespot Jawfish?
No, it is a delicate burrowing fish that should not be handled. It is best observed in its tank with a secure lid.32
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
You might also like
Yellowhead JawfishLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show annoying ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Opistognathus rosenblatti fishbase.seused for origin, size, depth, behaviour, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Opistognathus rosenblatti en.wikipedia.orgused for description, colours, colonies, reproduction, etymology
- Reef Builders: Cool-water marine species sometimes sold as tropicals reefbuilders.comused for cool-water care requirement
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.