SeafanEmergencies

Hawkfish

Longnose hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus

Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Care level
Beginner
Adult size
12.7 cm in aquariums
Minimum tank
114 litres
Temperament
Semi-aggressive
With corals
Reef safe with caution
Captive-bred
Occasionally captive-bred
IUCN status
Least Concern
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How do you care for the longnose 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).

Tight lid.

Corals and invertebrates

Small fish and shrimp.

Which tankmates suit the longnose hawkfish?

Dominated by larger hawkfish.

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

More than one longnose hawkfish

Keep one longnose 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 (3)

  • Yellow clown gobyLongnose hawkfish can swallow a fish as small as the yellow clown goby.
  • Flame hawkfishBoth are hawkfishs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
  • Falco hawkfishBoth are hawkfishs of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.

Take care (3)

  • Neon gobyLongnose hawkfish may attack or eat small bottom-dwelling fish like the neon goby.
  • Hi-fin red banded gobyLongnose hawkfish may attack or eat small bottom-dwelling fish like the hi-fin red banded goby.
  • Yellow assessorLongnose hawkfish may attack or eat small bottom-dwelling fish like the yellow assessor.
Usually fine together (53)

Invertebrates

Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

Avoid together (4)

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

No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

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?

Captive-bred occasionally.

What does it cost in the UK?

about £52. This is one UK retailer’s listing on 21 October 2026, not a market average, and every item was sold out on that day.

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.
  3. Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price.

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