Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus Bleeker, 1857
From Widespread across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii, southern Japan and New Caledonia, and also in the eastern Pacific from the Gulf of California to Colombia and the Galapagos.12
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Scaled, slender hawkfish with a long snout
A slim hawkfish with a strikingly long, pointed snout that makes up roughly half the length of its head. The pale body is crossed by a neat red grid of horizontal and vertical lines, and each dorsal spine ends in a small tuft of cirri.23
Personality what they are like
Curious and characterful. It spends much of its time perched on a lookout spot and will claim a favourite area as its own, so it is best kept with fish that are not tiny enough to be eaten.31
Daily activity how busy a day looks
A perch-and-dart fish: it sits still on rock or gorgonian branches for long spells, then makes short dashes to grab food.31
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Offer high perches such as sea fans or tall rockwork, and fit a tight lid because hawkfish can jump. Typical reef water: about 22 to 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025.3
Home where they are happiest
An aquarium of at least about 30 US gallons (about 115 L) with plenty of rock and some tall perches. In the wild it lives on steep, current-swept outer reef slopes among large gorgonians and black corals, usually from about 10 to 100 m deep.312
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A meat eater. Wild fish take small crustaceans from the bottom and from the plankton; in aquariums it does well on a varied menu of marine meaty foods, frozen preparations and small shrimp.123
Company who they like around
Wild adults are often seen in pairs and are described as monogamous. In a home tank one fish, or a pair, is usual; avoid very small fish and ornamental shrimp that it may treat as food.123
The story where it all began
Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker described the species in 1857 from Ambon in Indonesia. It became the type species of Oxycirrhites, a genus name that adds 'oxy' (sharp) to Cirrhites, a nod to its pointed snout. It has long been a familiar fish in the marine aquarium trade.21
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
Its snout is about half as long as its whole head, which is unusual among hawkfishes.2
- 2
In the wild it likes to sit among the branches of big sea fans and black corals on current-swept reef walls.1
- 3
Pairs spawn just after sunset with a lightning-fast rise into open water lasting only one or two seconds.1
- 4
Its range spans almost the whole tropical Pacific and Indian Ocean, from the Red Sea to the Galapagos.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed March 2015)1
- Taxonomy
- Family Cirrhitidae; described by Pieter Bleeker in 1857; type species of the genus Oxycirrhites2
The care rhythm a typical week and year
A typical home-care rhythm for a Longnose Hawkfish. A starting point, not a vet's advice.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Longnose Hawkfish?
Feed your Longnose Hawkfish small amounts once or twice a day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding, which suits its active, meat-eating nature. Stick to a routine and watch it eagerly dash for its meals.12 Pet Wiki plan
What does a Longnose Hawkfish eat, and what should it never eat?
It thrives on marine meaty foods like frozen preparations and small shrimp. Avoid offering tiny fish or ornamental shrimp, as it may treat them as food. For specific no-go items, ask your vet or a good breeder.123
How much space does a Longnose Hawkfish need?
A tank of at least 30 US gallons (about 115 litres) is recommended. Provide plenty of rockwork and tall perches so it can sit and survey its territory. This gives it the room it needs to perch and dart.312
What temperature, light or water does a Longnose Hawkfish need?
Keep water temperature between 22 and 26 °C (72, 78 °F), pH 8.1, 8.4, dKH 8, 12, and specific gravity 1.020, 1.025. Lighting needs aren't specified, but typical reef lighting works well. Check parameters weekly and top up evaporation with fresh RO water.3 Pet Wiki plan
How often should I clean a Longnose Hawkfish's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests cleaning the glass weekly and doing a 10, 20% water change every two weeks. Test water weekly and top up daily with fresh RO water. Regular care keeps its reef home healthy. Pet Wiki plan
Can a Longnose Hawkfish live with others?
Yes, it can live with one other as a pair, or alone. Avoid very small fish and ornamental shrimp, as it may eat them. Choose tankmates that are not tiny enough to be swallowed.123
How long does a Longnose Hawkfish live?
Lifespan varies and isn't specified in the available information. Ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet for typical longevity in home aquariums. With proper care, many hawkfish live several years.
Can I handle a Longnose Hawkfish?
Handling is not recommended, it's a fish that prefers to perch and observe. If you need to move it, use a container and ask your vet for safe methods. Always avoid stress to this curious swimmer.
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? support@petwiki.app.
- FishBase: Oxycirrhites typus fishbase.seused for origin, size, habitat, diet, behaviour, IUCN status
- Wikipedia: Longnose hawkfish en.wikipedia.orgused for description, distribution, taxonomy, history
- LiveAquaria: Longnose Hawkfish liveaquaria.comused for care level, tank size, water parameters, feeding
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.