Top Yellowhead Jawfish Fishing Countries

The Yellowhead Jawfish (Opistognathus aurifrons) is a small, colorful marine fish native to the Caribbean Sea and western Atlantic Ocean, easily recognized by its bright yellow head and upper body fading to a pearly blue. Rather than being targeted by large-scale commercial fisheries, the Yellowhead Jawfish is primarily sought after for the ornamental aquarium trade due to its striking appearance and interesting burrowing behavior. The main countries involved in the collection and export of Yellowhead Jawfish are those within its native range, particularly the Bahamas, Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations such as Haiti and the Dominican Republic. These countries supply international markets, especially the United States and Europe, where demand for exotic marine aquarium species is high. The industry is generally small-scale and often involves local fishers using hand nets and other low-impact methods, but concerns over habitat disturbance and over-collection have led to calls for sustainable management practices in the region.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.