The blue-spotted jawfish have small scales, but they do not carry parasitic infestations and infectious disease as the other fish family with small scales.<ref name=tfh/> There are two diseases that can affect the blue-spotted jawfish. First of all, the [[Brooklynellosis]] and blue-spotted jawfish disease.<ref name= aquanerd>{{cite web |url= http://aquanerd.com/2009/09/better-left-in-ocean-blue-spot-jawfish.html |title= Better Left in the Ocean – Blue Spot Jawfish |accessdate= 25 October 2018 |date= Sep 2009 |publisher= AquaNerd}}</ref> When the blue-spotted jawfish are affected by the ''[[Brooklynella]]'', it is likely that they will deteriorate and die within approximately 24 hours. The symptoms of Brooklynellosis include: peeling skin and color loss all over the body, or no appetite. They may leave their burrow and list around until they eventually die.