Page 280 - Encyclopedia of Aquarium and Pond Fish, 3rd Edition

278 MARINE FISH DIRECTORY

HAWKFISH Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus

Pixy Hawkfish

ORIGINS The Red Sea through the Indo-Pacific region to
The predatory hawkfish are so called the western coast of Central America.
because of their habit of swooping SIZE 3 in (8 cm).
DIET Marine flake and thawed livefoods.
down from above on to their victims, WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
in a similar way to birds of prey. TEMPERAMENT Keep separate from other hawkfish.
Long pectoral fins enable these fish The Pixy Hawkfish’s dominant reddish coloration
becomes blotched on the lower part of its body.
to rest securely on a rocky perch so It makes an interesting aquarium occupant, but
that, although they may sway in the like other hawkfish, it should not be housed with
crustaceans in a reef aquarium, since its sharp teeth
current, they will not be swept away can make easy work of even a crab’s shell.
Hawkfish will also eat worms and smaller fish.
by the swell. This is very important,
because hawkfish lack a swim bladder
and so have difficulty in maintaining
their buoyancy in the water.

Like other hawkfish, the Pixy Hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys
oxycephalus) is not an active swimmer, preferring
instead to ambush its prey.

Paracirrhites arcatus Oxycirrhites typus Neocirrhites armatus
Arc-Eyed Hawkfish Longnose Hawkfish Flame Hawkfish

ORIGINS East Africa through the Indian Ocean to Hawaii ORIGINS From the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to ORIGINS The Great Barrier Reef, off Australia’s eastern
and other areas of the Pacific. the eastern Pacific seaboard. coast, and throughout the Pacific region.
SIZE 5 ⁄2 in (14 cm). SIZE 5 in (13 cm). SIZE 3 in (7.5 cm ).
1
DIET Marine flake and thawed live foods. DIET Marine flake and thawed live foods. DIET Marine flake and thawed live foods.
WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline WATER Temperature 77–79°F (25–26°C); alkaline
(pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024. (pH 8.1–8.3) with SG 1.020–1.024.
TEMPERAMENT Sedentary by nature. TEMPERAMENT Choose companions carefully. TEMPERAMENT Can be predatory.
This hawkfish is characterized by delicate markings Serrated dorsal fin This is one of the most colorful hawkfish, its
of orange and pale blue on the head, which form stunning red coloration augmented by black
an arc around the eye, and a horizontal white spectacles and a black area running along the top
stripe along the rear of the body. The Arc-Eyed of the body onto the dorsal fin. It shows to
Hawkfish can move very swiftly when an edible best effect if given a perch, such as a cured
item catches its eye. It will readily learn to take sea fan, which it can adopt as a vantage
prepared foods and can even be persuaded to point. Breeding in the aquarium is highly unlikely,
feed from the hand. since this fish spawns in harems.

The elongated mouthparts of the Longnose
Hawkfish, combined with its red-banded body,
give this species an unmistakable appearance.
Arrange the aquarium decor securely so that the
fish has several vantage points near the surface
from which it can watch over the rest of the tank.
The Longnose Hawkfish can jump well, and it
should therefore be kept in a covered aquarium.
Prominent Hawkfish cannot be sexed visually. Keep these
pectoral fin fish singly to avoid fighting.

US_278-279_Hawkfi_Seahorse.indd 278 29/08/18 4:10 PM