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About Longnose Hawkfish

The Longnose Hawkfish is a distinctive marine fish recognised for its elongated snout, red-and-white body pattern and bold personality. It is an active and characterful addition to a marine or reef aquarium, often seen perching on rockwork and observing its surroundings.

Unlike many open-water marine fish, Longnose Hawkfish spend much of their time perched on rocks and corals, using their strong pectoral fins to move between elevated positions. Their unusual behaviour and striking appearance make them a popular choice for reef keepers.

They are generally hardy once established but can be territorial towards other hawkfish and similarly shaped bottom-dwelling fish. They are best provided with plenty of rockwork, caves and elevated perching areas.

Longnose Hawkfish are carnivorous and readily accept a variety of marine foods. Frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality marine pellets are excellent choices.

They are generally reef compatible, although their predatory nature means small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans may be at risk.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Oxycirrhites typus
Common Name: Longnose Hawkfish
Family: Cirrhitidae
Type: Marine Fish / Hawkfish
Adult Size: Approximately 13 cm
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Territorial
Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
Minimum Aquarium: 120 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Carnivore
Tank Level: Bottom to Midwater / Rockwork
Reef Safe: Generally, with caution around small invertebrates
Suitable For: Marine aquariums, reef tanks and established marine community systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Longnose Hawkfish reef safe?

Generally yes. They normally leave corals alone, but their predatory behaviour means small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans can potentially become prey.

How big does a Longnose Hawkfish get?

They can reach approximately 13 cm, although aquarium specimens are often smaller.

Can Longnose Hawkfish be kept with other hawkfish?

It is generally safest to keep one hawkfish per aquarium, particularly in smaller systems. They can be territorial towards other hawkfish.

What do Longnose Hawkfish eat?

They are carnivores and readily accept mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality marine pellets.

Do Longnose Hawkfish need live rock?

Yes. Rockwork provides important perching locations, shelter and territories. A mature reef structure with plenty of elevated surfaces is ideal.

Common Mistakes

Keeping multiple hawkfish together
They can become territorial, particularly in smaller aquariums.

Keeping them with very small shrimp
Their natural predatory behaviour means ornamental shrimp and tiny crustaceans may be at risk.

Not providing enough perching areas
Longnose Hawkfish spend much of their time sitting on elevated rockwork and observing the aquarium.

Keeping them with aggressive fish
Although confident, they can be stressed by significantly larger or more aggressive tank mates.

Assuming they are strictly bottom-dwelling fish
They frequently perch above the substrate and use rockwork throughout the aquarium.