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Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Cirrhitidae
📍 Indo-Pacific, Red Sea
Instantly recognisable by its elongated snout and white body with red grid pattern. Perches in gorgonian sea fans and black coral, propping itself on its fins. Bold and long-lived in captivity.
Care Guide
Diet
Longnose Hawkfish are carnivorous and require a diet of small meaty foods. Feed mysis shrimp, small crustaceans, and finely chopped seafood once daily. They may also accept high-quality carnivore pellets, but live or frozen foods should comprise the bulk of their diet.
Behavior
This species is bold and active, spending much of its time perched on corals and rockwork using its specialized pectoral fins. They are semi-aggressive and territorial, particularly toward smaller fish and crustaceans that resemble prey. Despite their predatory nature, they are hardy and long-lived in captivity, often thriving for 5+ years.
Breeding
Breeding Longnose Hawkfish in captivity is extremely rare and difficult. They are broadcast spawners that require very large systems with specific water conditions and minimal disturbance. Home aquarium breeding is not practically achievable for most hobbyists.
Tank Mates
Similar reef habitat preference and size; generally ignored by hawkfish
Peaceful reef fish that coexist well with hawkfish in larger systems
Small size may trigger predatory response; monitor closely
May be viewed as prey; only suitable in larger tanks with plenty of hiding spots
Predation risk exists; requires careful observation and adequate shelter
Similar reef niche; peaceful coexistence in adequately sized tanks
Common Diseases
Ich (Marine Ich)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against rocks
Raise temperature to 28-29°C, perform water changes, use copper-based treatments or hyposalinity therapy; quarantine affected fish
Bacterial Infections
Torn fins, lesions on body, cloudy eyes, lethargy
Improve water quality, perform frequent water changes, use antibiotic medications if severe; ensure adequate nutrition
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, visible parasites, weight loss, respiratory distress
Quarantine fish, use appropriate antiparasitic treatments, maintain optimal water conditions and temperature
Nutritional Deficiencies
Faded coloration, lethargy, poor growth, weakened immune response
Provide varied diet of high-quality frozen and live foods; supplement with vitamin-enriched preparations
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- carnivore — mysis, small crustaceans
- maxSize
- 5 inches
- minTankSize
- 30 gallons
- temperature
- 72–82°F (22–28°C)
Temperature
72–82°F
22–28°C