All species
Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Longnose hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus · Cirrhitidae

Also known as Longnosed hawkfish

Beginner

Perches motionless on coral branches, then darts — great character, but it hunts small shrimp.

In short: A longnose hawkfish needs at least 130 L (34 US gal), water at 23–27 °C (73–81 °F) and pH 8.1–8.4. It is semi-aggressive, usually kept singly, and rated beginner to keep.

Updated

Minimum tank
130 L (34 US gal)
Temperature
23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
13 cm (5.1 in)
Group size
1+

Reef & marine husbandry

Specific gravity
1.023–1.026
Reef safety
Reef safe
With corals
Reef safe; perches on coral without eating it.
With inverts
Eats small shrimp and crabs.
Minimum in a mixed reef
130 L (34 US gal)
Minimum fish-only (FOWLR)
130 L (34 US gal)
Aggression
Bothers small fish it can swallow.
Feeding
Once daily.

Care requirements

Minimum tank volume
130 L (34 US gal)
Temperature
23–27 °C (73–81 °F)
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
8–12 dGH
Lifespan
5–10 years
Diet
Carnivore — mysis, krill, chopped seafood.
Care level
Beginner

Origin & habitat

Native region
Indo-Pacific and Red Sea
Water type
Saltwater
Biotope
Gorgonian and black coral branches on deeper reef
Natural conditions
Moderate flow, tall branching rock.

Behaviour & stocking

Temperament
Semi-aggressive
Minimum group
1 fish
Swims
All levels
Good tank mates
Tangs
Angels
Larger wrasses
Avoid
Ornamental shrimp
Firefish
Small gobies

Breeding & difficulty

Breeding difficulty
Advanced
Sexing
Males are larger with darker fin margins.
Notes
Not bred at home.
Common ailments
Marine ich
Will it fit your tank?

Sign in and AquaLog compares Longnose hawkfish against every tank you track — volume, water type, temperature and pH — then adds it to your livestock in one tap.

Sign in to check my tanks

Guides and lists that mention the longnose hawkfish

Similar species