Longnose hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Cirrhitidae (hawkfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific reefs, often among sea fans and black corals.
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
13 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
150 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

This page is based on the list entry only; the species article could not be checked when it was written, so treat the details below as general guidance. The list gives an adult size of 13 cm. The list describes a white body with a red lattice pattern, a long snout and gaps in the fin membrane between the dorsal spines. Hawkfish have no swim bladder and spend their time perched on rock or coral, watching for food, so give plenty of high perches. The tank size here is an estimate. The sources give no water figures, so the temperature, pH and salinity shown are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, specific gravity 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-filtered water. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Hawkfish are ambush predators of small crustaceans and fish. Offer meaty foods such as mysis, krill, chopped seafood and pellets.

Breeding

No breeding details are given in the list.

Compatibility and tank mates

The list says it may eat small shrimps, so it is marked "with caution" for reefs; corals are not at risk. Keep with fish too big to swallow, and avoid small gobies and other bottom-dwellers. Usually one hawkfish per tank.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.