Longnose Hawk - Oxycirrhitus typus

Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus)

The Longnose Hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus, is a striking and highly recognisable marine hawkfish, admired for its long pointed snout, white body and fine red grid-like patterning. This species has a very distinctive perching behaviour, often resting on rockwork, coral branches or ledges while watching the aquarium around it. Hardy, unusual and full of character, it can make an excellent feature fish for mature reef or fish-only marine aquariums, provided its predatory instincts around small shrimp and tiny tank mates are understood.

Common Name:
Longnose Hawkfish, Long Nose Hawkfish, Long-Nosed Hawkfish, Longnose Hawk.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Oxycirrhites typus

Maximum Size:
Around 13 cm, making it a medium-sized hawkfish with a bold personality and strong perch-based behaviour.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found widely across tropical Indo-Pacific reef regions, including the Red Sea, East Africa, the Indian Ocean, Indonesia, Japan, Australia, Hawaii and surrounding Pacific island reef systems. In the wild, Longnose Hawkfish are usually associated with steep outer reef slopes, areas of strong current, large gorgonians, black corals and branching reef structure. They use these elevated perches to watch for small crustaceans and other passing prey.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Semi-aggressive. Longnose Hawkfish are usually manageable in suitable marine aquariums, but they can be territorial and may intimidate very small, timid or delicate fish. They are best kept with peaceful to moderately robust tank mates that are too large to be viewed as prey. Avoid housing with tiny gobies, very small dartfish or ornamental shrimp-heavy setups.

Diet:
Carnivorous. In the wild, this species feeds mainly on small benthic and planktonic crustaceans. In the aquarium, offer a varied protein-rich diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, chopped krill, finely chopped prawn, clam, mussel, squid and quality carnivore marine pellets. Most settled specimens feed confidently, often darting quickly from a perch to grab food from the water column.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities. Provide mature rockwork, caves, coral branch-style structure, ledges and plenty of secure perch points.

Behaviour & Activity:
A characterful perching fish that spends much of its time resting on rockwork, coral branches, gorgonian-style structures or elevated ledges. It watches carefully from these positions before making short, quick movements to take food or investigate activity. Longnose Hawkfish do not swim constantly in open water like tangs or wrasses, but they need enough territory and structure to move between perches. A secure lid is recommended, as hawkfish can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Longnose Hawkfish are generally safe with corals and do not normally nip coral tissue, clam mantles or sessile invertebrates. However, they may eat ornamental shrimp, small crustaceans, tiny crabs and very small fish if given the opportunity. They are best suited to reef aquariums where tank mates and clean-up crew are chosen carefully.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept as a single specimen unless the aquarium is large and a confirmed compatible pair is available. Avoid housing with small ornamental shrimp such as sexy shrimp, tiny gobies or delicate bottom-dwelling fish that may be at risk. Larger cleaner shrimp may sometimes be tolerated, but there is always a risk with hawkfish. Provide plenty of rockwork and branching perches so the fish can display natural behaviour. Add after very shy fish have settled, as hawkfish can quickly claim territory.

Suitable for:
Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Regularly available in the marine aquarium trade / Availability can vary depending on size, collection region and supplier

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.