Pearly Jawfish tail fin split?

Is this normal? I have never actually had or seen a jawfish before I ordered one from my LFS. I seen this guy on liveaquaria when I first decided to give this hobby a go. Now that I bought him, I'm worried about his condition. He has a split tail fin(from the pics I've seen, this is not normal), He also has a slightly cloudy left eye (not sure if this is just the coloring of the fish).

So you can see I'm in need of some advice. Do I send him back? Do I keep him and see if everything pans out? I don't like to send livestock back, because I just imagine them flushing these guys. Then again I don't want to waste my money either... LOL someone shove me in the right direction

 

Judging by the image the fish looks like he will be fine. Many times damage to fins slowly heals. Jawfish and fish that burrow or live in the rock work often get physical injuries and eye injuries.

He is a lovely fish.

Welcome to 3reef.

 

He does look healthy and the split looks like an injury to me as well

 

Thanks for the replies. I will keep him and watch him carefully. He already seems to be making himself at home. He has 3 burrows and eats regularly. Also thanks for having me here at 3reef

 

thanks for joining us here! I love jawfish - they look so cute when they're down in the their burrows with just their heads out looking around. I've only had one in my career and he jumped within 2 days

 

I think mine did too, the cat must have gotten him, because I cant find him anywhere . This fish(besides my green mandarin) was the reason I started a SW tank. If he doesnt turn up after I do a water change and check under rocks, I will assume he must have jumped through a 2x2" area by my overflow that is not covered. Ahhh the troubles of fish keeping... I should have stuck with chameleons as hobby lol