Darwin Jawfish - Medium

The Darwin Jawfishes' beautiful patterns really make it stand out. Its body is a light brown and yellowish colour, covered in small, dark marks and spots. The fins are a more uniform yellow, with larger dark mark and spots, similar to a leopard’s patterns. This is one of the bigger species of Jawfish, growing up to 19.6 inches (50 centimetres) in length.

The Darwin Jawfish is a mouthbrooder. During courtship the male will dance to attract a female. When a female accepts, she will enter his burrow and lay eggs deep inside. The male fertilizes the eggs and then stores them inside his mouth.

This is an Indo-West Pacific species. It is mainly found along the northern and western continental shelf of Australia. It inhabits rubble and sand areas on shallow reefs.

Tank Recommendations for your Darwin Jawfish

To accommodate a fully grown Darwin Jawfish, a 150-gallon (568 litres) tank is recommended. However, the aquarium size can be reduced for smaller specimens.

This species is a burrower, so a suitable tank should have a thick layer of substrate on the bottom. It isn’t easy to replicate the vertical burrows they dig in the wild. But, inserting PVC piping diagonally into the substrate can offer an acceptable substitute.

A suitable tank should have an assortment of rubble, shells, and rock on top of the substrate. A lid is also recommended as Jawfish have been known to jump out of tanks.

Suitable Tank Buddies

The Darwin Jawfish has a peaceful temperament, so tank mates with a similar disposition usually work best.

Larger specimens may consume invertebrates, so bear that in mind if you are purchasing juvenilles.

Usually Compatible

Suitable tank buddies include Dwarf Angelfish, Anthias, Batfish, Clownfish, Boxfish, Tangs, and Rabbitfish.

Sometime Compatible

Caution is advised with Grunts, Hogfish, Parrotfish, Squirrelfish, and Triggerfish.

Rarely Compatible

Avoid aggressive species such as Frogfish, Eels, Groupers, Lionfish, Sharks, and Rays.. Slow movers such Seahorses and Pipefish should be kept separately too as they may get stressed in the presence of the Jawfish.

Feeding your Darwin Jawfish

The Darwin Jawfish is a carnivore and enjoys a variety of meaty foods. A suitable diet includes krill, brine shrimp, shellfish, marine fish and crustacean flesh.