Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Oxycirrhites

Oxycirrhites typus

Bleeker, 1857

Longnose Hawkfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and South Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to Southern Japan, south to New Caledonia. Also the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Gulf of California to northern Colombia and the Galapagos Islands.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits steep outer reef slopes that are exposed to strong currents where it mostly stays on large gorgonians and black corals. Generally found at depths between 3 – 85 feet (1 – 25 m) where it feeds on small crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Commonly seen in the trade and one of the most popular hawkfish with marine hobbyists. Quite attractive having a reddish white body with red striping that goes horizontally and vertically.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums, which should contain various rocky areas where the species can take shelter if needing it, or perch/sit on and watch the activity of other tankmates or see where food enters the aquarium.

Even though not overly feisty, this species should not be housed with non-aggressive fishes such as anthias, dartfishes, small gobies and flasher wrasses.

As to diet, finely chopped products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed twice daily.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Cirrhitidae

    Genus: Oxycirrhites

FYI: Will eat small ornamental shrimp (including cleaner shrimp) and tubeworms.

Cannot be trusted with very small fish such as Neon Gobies.

Will defend its preferred sitting areas.

May annoy sessile invertebrates by sitting on them.

Adults do not possess a swim bladder.

Strong pelvic fins are used as supports when perching.

One per aquarium unless a mated pair.

Requires a covered aquarium, as it’s a good jumper!

    Experience Level: Beginner

    Temperament: Semi-aggressive

    Diet: Carnivore

    Coral Safe: Yes

    Fish Safe: With caution

    Invertebrate Safe: With caution

    Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

    Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

    Tankmates: Moderately aggressive

    Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons

    Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)

    Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

    pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Oxycirrhites typus (Longnose Hawkfish)
Photo © Bob Goemans
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