Yellowhead jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF, conservation from IUCN Red List, description from Wikipedia.
The yellowhead jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) is a species of jawfish native to coral reefs in the Caribbean Sea. They can be found at depths of from 3 to 40 m. The head and upper body are a light, but brilliant, yellow color slowly fading to a pearlescent blue hue. They can reach a length of 10 cm TL. Yellowhead jawfishes are common in Florida. The Jawfishes live in rubble areas and sand in groups of up to 70 individuals.
- Scientific name
- Opistognathus aurifrons
- Authority
- (Jordan & Thompson, 1905)
- Family
- Opistognathidae
- Order
- Ovalentaria incertae sedis
- Maximum length
- 10 cm
- Depth range
- 3–40 m
- Habitat zone
- reef-associated
- Iucn red list
- Least Concern
- Gbif occurrence records
- 28,602
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Opistognathidae · Genus: Opistognathus.
Accepted name: Opistognathus aurifrons · Authority: (Jordan & Thompson, 1905) · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 276442.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Gnathypops aurifrons Jordan & Thompson, 1905; Opisthognathus aurifrons (Jordan & Thompson, 1905).
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276442 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Opistognathus aurifrons. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 10 cm · Depth range: 3–40 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: elongated · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: commercial · Aquarium trade: commercial.
FishBase notes: Inhabit burrows made of crushed coral or sand. Hovers vertically, above or near its hole. The male courts the female by swimming in an arched position with his fins spread towards her (Ref. 9710). Male broods the eggs orally (Ref. 5521). Has been reared in captivity (Ref. 35427).
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 3684) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Opistognathus-aurifrons.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
28,602 georeferenced occurrence records for Opistognathus aurifrons are published through GBIF from 34 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 78 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 10 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: United States of America (25,747); Puerto Rico (1,881); Guadeloupe (253); Virgin Islands (U.S.) (97); Bahamas (70).
The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2391774) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2391774&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=276442 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.
Conservation status (IUCN Red List)
The IUCN Red List assesses Opistognathus aurifrons (Jordan & Thompson, 1905) as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.
Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 190079) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/190079/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2391774) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2391774/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.
Description and natural history (Wikipedia)
Yellowhead jawfishes are usually found in shallows where materials are available for burrow construction. They remain near their relatively small territories, and are typically seen with only the head and upper section of their bodies protruding from their burrows, although they sometimes can be found hovering nearby. They are able to arrange material using their mouths, carrying sand, shells, or small rocks from one location to another.
O. aurifrons are mouthbrooders, with the male carrying the eggs in his mouth until they hatch.
Yellowhead jawfish have two different types of responses to intruders, flight or fight. The type of response depends on the type of incoming fish. During flight, the fish will swim away from the intruder and in go into their burrow, covering the opening with a large rock. During fight, the fish will spit sand or rocks at the intruder.
In the aquarium they feed on planktonic matter, commonly taking brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and prepared frozen and pelleted fish food. When other fish come near their territories, they will open their jaws wide and try to warn them off, but they rarely attack. They are one of the most docile jawfish towards fish of their kind, and can be kept in small groups of 1 individual per 10 gallons.
Source: Wikipedia: Yellowhead jawfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowhead_jawfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.
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