Missing Jawfish

So last night I got a blue spot jawfish which I acclimated by adding 1/2 cup after to his bag every 15 minutes for 1 hour. He seemed fine when I let him free in the tank. He was swimming around and even ate for me. Then I checked on him about and hour later and he was nowhere to be seen. I haven't seem him since. My tank is completely closed (RSM) and I've checked the sump and there's no sign of him. Do they often hide when first introduced and should I be worried? I have no intention of going through my rockwork to find him since that would cause stress to the tank an to him if he's still in there. The only other things in the tank are corals, a snowflake eel, peppermint shrimp, crabs/snails, and a moorish idol.

Thanks for the help!

Edited by Ann_A - June 05 2013 at 11:03am

When mine was added (although a different jawfish) it simply dug itself under one of the rocks and hid for about a day. He'll come out.

I've checked the sump and there's no sign of him. The only possible trace of him is some shifted sand in the back but that very easily could've been the eel.

Ah, you didn't mention an eel hahaha. That could definitely be one reason you can't find it. A small fish like a goby/Jawfish that is relatively slow and stays along the bottom could very easily become a snack. Then again I see new sand piles popping up everywhere that are no doubt from my Jawfish. Keep us posted, It's still a new fish it could turn up.

Aloha Ann,

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but all Moray's have poor vision. They smell and then ambush their meals, dead or alive.
I wish I had a pic of it, but one day I was walking across a semi-flat large expanse of rock where the waves come across. Out of the corner of my eye, I happened to notice a small head sticking out of a hole. I looked closer and saw several of them in similar holes. They were young Snowflake Morays. By the size of their heads I'd guess they were 6-12" long. I believe the way they catch food is to wait for crustaceans to crawl close and for small fish to come moving by with the waves. Morays can sense the prey when it gets an inch or two away and then they move at lightning speed. Their closeup vision and sense of smell help them aim their tooth filled mouth toward the meal.

Mahalo,
Mark
808-345-1049 anytime

P.S. It doesn't hurt to ask here about reef purchases. You never know when something someone here has to say will save days of grief and/or loads of money.

Edited by Mark Peterson - June 09 2013 at 2:57pm

I was afraid of that....ah well if he somehow turns up then it'll be a nice surprise. Otherwise my eel will be out the door when I upgrade tanks and can actually catch him.

Found him!!!! He's been hiding in a burrow behind a rock in the front of my tank. He seems really shy though and doesn't come out except when food drifts right in front of his den. Hopefully he'll learn to come out more.

Ann_A wrote: Found him!!!! He's been hiding in a burrow behind a rock in the front of my tank. He seems really shy though and doesn't come out except when food drifts right in front of his den. Hopefully he'll learn to come out more.

That's great news!

Great news Ann! When we feed we watch two places to make sure the fish are eating. The cardinals and the jaw fish. While the jaw fish will grab some pellets if it drops in front of him, the cardinals still only eat the mysis or other frozen foods so we make sure they get some. Depending on our blue spots the burrow of the day, we often have to squirt some food right next to him to make sure he gets it. 

...and...THAT SUCKS! Sorry Ann!