Yellow head jawfish can’t stick to a burrow and I need help

[Andreas' Reef]

I recently got a yellow head jawfish and it started building a burrow. It then left a burrow and started swimming around. Then it left that burrow and started leaving that burrow and swimming around the entire tank. Is there a reason he’s doing this and is there anything I can do to help him find a place to call home?

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

is the sand deep enough? Are there any caves for it to hide? Any aggressive tank mates? Just some possibilities

 

[Graemesreef]

He'll settle down, they can be very active if in a peaceful environment. Ours had three burrows but became to much of a headache with spitting sand all over the rocks and coral. Oh and if you didnt know they are huge jumpers.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

is the sand deep enough? Are there any caves for it to hide? Any aggressive tank mates? Just some possibilities

Sand bed is 3 inches deep. There are a few caves for it to hide. The only thing I could think would be aggressive is my YWG but it is quite small and has been peaceful with any new addition.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

He'll settle down, they can be very active if in a peaceful environment. Ours had three burrows but became too much of a headache with spitting sand all over the rocks and coral. Oh and if you didnt know they are huge jumpers.

Maybe. I’ll update you. Should I dig out some sand on purpose for it? Luckily nothing is bothering it except for my clowns which aren’t to fond of anything going near their territory.

 

[Graemesreef]

Our's ran back and forth for a couple days I think just trying to get a feel for the tank sense they dart so quick at times. Its amazing how quick they are, he's just sizing things up. It'll be fine. Oh sorry any digging or arranging in the tank is now his job he'll make it just the way he wants no matter what you do lol. Also make sure your frags if any are secure cause he will be more than happy to move them for you as well.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Our's ran back and forth for a couple days I think just trying to get a feel for the tank sense they dart so quick at times. Its amazing how quick they are, he's just sizing things up. It'll be fine. Oh sorry any digging or arranging in the tank is now his job he'll make it just the way he wants no matter what you do lol. Also make sure your frags if any are secure cause he will be more than happy to move them for you as well.

Thanks. He's kinda staying in 1 corner right now. I'm guessing he's quite stressed because he was just added.

 

[Graemesreef]

Thanks. He's kinda staying in 1 corner right now. I'm guessing he's quite stressed because he was just added.

Don't be shocked if he doesn't eat for a couple he'll quickly turn into a pig. Good luck kinda miss our's they are very personable. Oh and don't be alarmed if you see a hermit in his mouth. I thought our's was choking but he was just breaking the shell to eat the hermit. Crazy to watch

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Don't be shocked if he doesn't eat for a couple he'll quickly turn into a pig. Good luck kinda miss our's they are very personable. Oh and don't be alarmed if you see a hermit in his mouth. I thought our's was choking but he was just breaking the shell to eat the hermit. Crazy to watch

he's already eating. Watched him eat a few pieces of mysis and hikari squid. Also A while ago I had a bluespot in my cool water tank. He would crush hermits every week. But for the price I bought him at he can have my $1 hermits.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

he's already eating. Watched him eat a few pieces of mysis and hikari squid. Also A while ago I had a bluespot in my cool water tank. He would crush hermits every week. But for the price I bought him at he can have my $1 hermits.

Don't be shocked if he doesn't eat for a couple he'll quickly turn into a pig. Good luck kinda miss our's they are very personable. Oh and don't be alarmed if you see a hermit in his mouth. I thought our's was choking but he was just breaking the shell to eat the hermit. Crazy to watch

He just built a new burrow

but then he left it again

I’m starting to think something is wrong with him

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Why does he leave his burrow when there is no reason to?

 

[Boreas_SA]

Give him more rock rubble of all sizes, they need quite a bit to construct a proper burrow, a lot more than you might think is enough, as they basically use it as bricks to construct a solid burrow that makes a perfect tunnel where they hide out, they can’t build that with just sand.

 

[Andreas' Reef]

Give him more rock rubble of all sizes, they need quite a bit to construct a proper burrow, a lot more than you might think is enough, as they basically use it as bricks to construct a solid burrow that makes a perfect tunnel where they hide out, they can’t build that with just sand.

So that’s why he’s leaving his burrow?

 

[merkmerk73]

They need some coarser sand, as well as pieces of rubble, to be really happy.

Crushed coral works pretty well

But they do tend to just move around and never find a happy spot - it can be annoying.

You can also use PVC to construct burrows - I have a T section of PVC that I added a few pieces to and my jawfish set up shop there and hasn't left in about a year

He's currently dying of old age (and is so fat and huge he struggles with the PVC) but I'm guessing the replacement will be very happy there as well