SeafanEmergencies

Hawkfish

Falco hawkfish

Cirrhitichthys falco

Also sold as Dwarf hawkfish

Falco hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
Photo: q phia, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care level
Beginner
Adult size
7.6 cm in aquariums
Minimum tank
114 litres
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
With corals
Reef safe with caution
Captive-bred
Wild-caught (captive-bred rare)
IUCN status
Least Concern
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How do you care for the falco hawkfish?

Semi-aggressive.

Feeding

Carnivore.

Meaty foods.

Tank and special needs

Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

Hiding places.

Corals and invertebrates

Small fish and shrimp.

Which tankmates suit the falco hawkfish?

Not with larger hawkfish.

Suggested order in a mixed tank: add last, after the peaceful fish have settled.

More than one falco hawkfish

Keep one falco hawkfish: two of the same species usually fight.

Other fish

Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

Avoid together (2)

  • Flame hawkfishBoth are hawkfishs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
  • Longnose hawkfishBoth are hawkfishs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.

Take care (3)

  • Neon gobyFalco hawkfish may attack or eat small bottom-dwelling fish like the neon goby.
  • Yellow clown gobyFalco hawkfish may attack or eat small bottom-dwelling fish like the yellow clown goby.
  • Hi-fin red banded gobyFalco hawkfish may attack or eat small bottom-dwelling fish like the hi-fin red banded goby.
Usually fine together (54)

Invertebrates

Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

Avoid together (4)

  • Skunk cleaner shrimpFalco hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the skunk cleaner shrimp.
  • Peppermint shrimpFalco hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the peppermint shrimp.
  • Camel shrimpFalco hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the camel shrimp.
  • Harlequin shrimpFalco hawkfish eats ornamental shrimp such as the harlequin shrimp.

Take care (2)

  • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
  • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

Corals and anemones

Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

Take care (1)

These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

Quarantine and health

Hardy.

New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

Captive-bred or wild?

Wild-caught.

Sources

  1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
  2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length.

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