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FishMarineIntermediate

Longnose hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus

The Longnose Hawkfish is a specialized marine predator defined by its elongated snout. Endemic to deep reefs, it relies on complex branch structures to perch and monitor prey.

Taxonomy

Class:Actinopteri

Order:Perciformes

Family:Cirrhitidae

Genus:Oxycirrhites

Species:Oxycirrhites typus

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Water Temperature

24 - 28 °C

pH Value

8.1 - 8.4

Water type

Marine

Tank level

Bottom and middle

Adult size

13 cm

Minimum tank volume

>= 200 L

Minimum group

>= 1

Species description

Geographical Origin and Habitat: The Longnose Hawkfish (*Oxycirrhites typus*) is a highly distinctive, specialized marine teleost natively endemic to the deep, steep seaward reef drop-offs and current-swept gorgonian fields of the Indo-Pacific Ocean (extending to the Eastern Pacific). Their natural biotope is defined by vertical reef walls absolutely dominated by massive sea fans (Gorgonians) and black corals, where they spend their entire lives perched motionless amidst the branches, waiting to ambush passing zooplankton.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Scientifically classified within the Cirrhitidae (Hawkfish) family, they are the sole member of the *Oxycirrhites* genus. Fully mature adults reach 10.0 to 13.0 centimeters (3.9-5.1 inches) in length.

CRITICAL FEATURE: Like all Hawkfish, they completely lack a swim bladder, meaning they cannot hover in the water column and will sink if they stop swimming. Their morphology is deeply specialized: a highly elongated, tubular snout with tiny jaws, and heavily thickened, unbranched lower pectoral rays used to physically grip coral branches.

Social Behavior: They are strictly benthic, highly observant ambush predators. They spend 95% of their day completely motionless, "perched" securely on the highest branch of a coral or rock, utilizing their independent, rapidly swiveling eyes to scan the surrounding water for tiny prey. When food is spotted, they launch themselves in a rapid, jerky darting motion, snap up the prey, and instantly sink back to a perch. They are highly territorial toward other Hawkfish but ignore dissimilar fish.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Sexual dimorphism is visually non-existent. Their coloration is a masterpiece of specialized disruptive camouflage designed exclusively to make them invisible when perched on red gorgonians. The base body coloration is stark, translucent white. This canvas is violently overlaid with a highly complex, crisscrossing "tartan" or "crosshatch" pattern of vibrant, deep red horizontal and vertical lines.

Care, breeding and tankmates

Aquarium Setup: The aquarium architecture MUST accommodate their absolute physical need to perch. A minimum 110-liter (30-gallon) marine aquarium is required.

CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: The tank MUST be aquascaped with tall, branching structures. They unconditionally require high vantage points (tall live rock pillars, branching SPS corals, or artificial/live Gorgonians) to sit on. They prefer moderate to strong water flow. Because they lack a swim bladder, they are notorious, powerful jumpers when startled; a tight lid is mandatory.

Diet and Feeding: They are obligate, highly specialized macroscopic carnivores. In the wild, they consume small benthic crustaceans and pelagic zooplankton. In the aquarium, they are voracious and aggressive eaters. They MUST be fed a meaty diet 1-2 times daily. They eagerly consume frozen Mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, krill, and finely chopped seafood. They will rarely accept dry pellets or flakes. They strike with lightning speed during feeding time.

Water Quality: Originating from deep, high-current reef walls, they are incredibly hardy, disease-resistant, and forgiving of minor water parameter fluctuations. They demand stable tropical heat (24-27°C / 75-81°F). Specific gravity (salinity) MUST be maintained precisely between 1.020 and 1.025. They require hard, highly alkaline water (pH 8.1 - 8.4) and a well-oxygenated environment. They do not produce massive amounts of waste, but excellent biological filtration ensures their long-term health.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Compatibility requires careful planning based entirely on the size of the tankmates.

CRITICAL WARNING: While generally considered "reef-safe" with corals, they are NOT invertebrate safe. They WILL unconditionally hunt, kill, and eat any ornamental shrimp (Peppermint, Skunk Cleaner, Sexy Shrimp) or tiny crab that fits in their mouth. Furthermore, they may harass incredibly small, passive fish (like tiny Gobies). Excellent tankmates are medium-sized, robust fish (Dwarf Angelfish, Tangs, large Wrasses).

Aquarium Breeding: Breeding the Longnose Hawkfish in captivity has occasionally been achieved in specialized commercial facilities but is extremely rare for home hobbyists. They are pelagic spawners. In the wild, courtship occurs at dusk; the pair engages in a rapid, vertical "spawning ascent" toward the surface, releasing thousands of buoyant, microscopic eggs at the apex before instantly darting back to the reef. Rearing the larvae requires complex, multi-stage plankton culturing.

Risks and Diseases: The absolute greatest physical risk is lethal desiccation; because they lack a swim bladder, when they are frightened, they launch themselves upward with immense force and frequently launch themselves completely out of the aquarium. A completely tight-fitting lid or mesh screen is unconditionally mandatory. Medically, they are highly robust and possess a thick slime coat that makes them highly resistant to Marine Ich (*Cryptocaryon*).

Geographic Origin and Distribution

The Longnose Hawkfish (*Oxycirrhites typus*) is a highly distinctive, specialized marine teleost natively endemic to the deep, steep seaward reef drop-offs and current-swept gorgonian fields of the Indo-Pacific Ocean (extending to the Eastern Pacific). Their natural biotope is defined by vertical reef walls absolutely dominated by massive sea fans (Gorgonians) and black corals, where they spend their entire lives perched motionless amidst the branches, waiting to ambush passing zooplankton.

Origin

Tropical oceans and reefsNorth AmericaAfrica and Madagascar

Fish profile

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Omnivore
Sex ratio: Group
Feeding frequency: Twice daily
Bioload: Medium
Flow: Strong
Jump risk: No
Reproduction: Oviparous
Compatibility & tankmates: Territorial
Tank level: Middle/Bottom

FishBase

Window to the official scientific data of the species

Data synced on: 06/15/2026

Scientific Parameters & Models

Trophic level: 3.3 ± 0.37 se
Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50): 1
Bayesian Length-Weight: a = 0.00389, b = 3.12

Image gallery

Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.

Related species

Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.

Variants and close relatives

Same atlas type, nearby scientific identity, genus, or family.

Falco hawkfish

Cirrhitichthys falco

Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates