Fish
Yellowhead Jawfish
Opistognathus aurifrons · also called yellow-headed jawfish
Hanging upright above a pebble-lined burrow, a yellowhead jawfish picks plankton from the passing current, a male perhaps holding a mouthful of eggs, ready to back out of sight tail-first at the first sign of danger.
Overview
The yellowhead jawfish, Opistognathus aurifrons, is native to ocean and coastal sand and rubble habitat across the western Atlantic and the Caribbean. Its self-built burrow, upright hovering posture, and father-only mouthbrooding make it one of the most distinctive small fish of Caribbean sand flats.
A father’s mouth as a nursery
Where many fish abandon their eggs, the yellowhead jawfish male carries them in his mouth until they hatch, a demanding job that leaves him feeding only in snatches while he tends the clutch.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable sand and rubble habitat throughout the western Atlantic and Caribbean.
Yellowhead Jawfish: common questions
How does the yellowhead jawfish build its burrow?
It excavates a vertical burrow in sand or rubble and reinforces the walls with pebbles and shell fragments, creating a stable home it can drop back into instantly.
Why does the male yellowhead jawfish carry eggs in his mouth?
Mouthbrooding keeps the eggs protected from predators and well oxygenated, with the male periodically turning them until they hatch.
Why does the yellowhead jawfish hover vertically?
It hovers tail-down above its burrow so it can feed on passing plankton while staying one quick drop away from safety.
Where is the yellowhead jawfish found?
It is native to ocean and coastal sand and rubble habitat across the western Atlantic and the Caribbean.