Hawkfish

Hawkfish

Hawkfish are one of the most colorful, alert, and aquarists’ favorite marine fish. Their hunting modus operandi is similar to that of a Hawk and therefore the name, Hawkfish. To hunt, the Hawkfish perch on some Coral or Stone and look around for a prey. As soon as the one comes in their view, they pounce on it and engulf it. Hailing from the Family Cirrhitidae, these fish are also used as food. Fresh Marine offers you a wide range of Hawkfish species. However, before moving to them, lets look at some common features of Hawkfish.

Compatibility. Hawkfish are mostly Reef compatible. These are Predacious and Aggressive by nature. Therefore, do not keep Hawkfish with small Fish, Crabs, Shrimps, or small Bottom Dwellers such as small Gobies or Blennies. You can however group these with aggressive or semi aggressive fish such as, Triggers, Lions, Groupers, Eels, and other large predatory species. Owing to their Territorial disposition, its better to keep one Hawkfish per tank.

Habit & Habitat. Hawkfish are mostly found in Tropical Marine Water bodies, globally, with abundant Corals in them.

Morphology. Measuring 7”-15” in length, Hawkfish have a typically stout body with a large head and a tuft of Fringes or ‘Cirri’ on the top of their Dorsal Spines. Their Tail Fin is round and the Pectoral Fins are enlarged and skinless. Overall, Hawkfish resemble Scorpion Fish in appearance. With their vibrant Red shade, hardy Hawkfish look visually appealing. Hawkfish are Protogynous Hermaphrodite as females can change into males, if required.

Ideal Marine Aquarium Environment. Hawkfish require good water quality with a pH of 8.1-8.4; the temperature of 72-78°F; the SG of 1.020-1.025; and the dKH of 8-12. Keep sandy substrate and ample Corals & Stones for perching & hiding of these Bottom Dwellers. Moreover, keep the aquarium well oxygenated, while allowing a moderately strong water movement.

Aquarium Feeding. Hawkfish are Carnivorous in their feeding habit and eat small Fish, Crabs, Shrimps, Snails, Crustaceans, & fresh or frozen meaty food.

Aquarium Breeding. Its not possible to breed Hawkfish in captivity as they are not sexually dimorphic (except Long Nose Hawkfish).

Care. Hawkfish are easy to maintain.

Some best selling Hawkfish available at Fresh Marine are listed below:

1. Arc-Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus). This fish has an Orange colored body with a White horizontal band on the posterior end. They have a conspicuous three colored arcs behind their eye, so the name Arc Eye. Growing up to a maximum of 5.5”, these Hawkfish require a minimum aquarium size of 30 Gallons. 2. Blood Red Hawkfish (Cirrhitops fasciatus). Also known as Banded Hawkfish or Redbar Hawkfish, Blood Red Hawkfish are bright Red in color with light vertical stripes. Growing up to a maximum of 5”, these Hawkfish require an aquarium of minimum 20 Gallons capacity. 3. Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhites armatus). Also known as, Fire Hawkfish, this fish is vibrant Red in color with Black bands at the back and around the eyes. Growing up to a maximum size of 3.5”, these fish require a tank of minimum 30 Gallons capacity. 4. Freckled Hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri). Also known as Forster's Blackside Hawk, these fish have a thick elongated body and the face speckled with Red and Black Dots. Growing up to a maximum size of 8.9”, these Hawkfish require an aquarium of minimum 75 Gallons capacity. 5. Long nose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus). They have blotches of White & Red color on their skin, and a concave tail. Growing up to a maximum size of 5.1”, they require an aquarium of minimum 20 Gallons capacity. 6. Pixy /Coral Hawkfish (Cirrhitichyhys oxycephalus). Also known as Spotted Hawkfish, these are normally Bluish White in color with irregular Red dots on their body and head. Growing up to a maximum size of 3”-5”, these fish require an aquarium or tank of minimum 20 Gallons capacity. 7. Red Hawkfish (Cyprinocirrhites polyactus). Also known as Swallowtail Hawkfish or Lyre Tail Hawkfish, these are found in the different shades of Pink and Brown. Growing up to the size of 5.5”, these Hawkfish require an aquarium of at least 30 Gallons capacity. 8. Geometric Pygmy Hawkfish (Plectranthias species). Growing up to a maximum size of 3.3”, these Hawkfish require tank of minimum 30 Gallons capacity.

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