Longnose Hawkfish

Hawkfish

The Long-Nose Hawkfish is hardy, resistant to disease and an entertaining addition to an aquarium. It is one of the most popular hawkfish and is suitable for the intermediate marine aquarist. The Long-Nose comes from the Indo Pacific region, including the Red Sea, Hawaii and the Galapagos. It has a long, cylindrical white body with a grid of red running horizontally and vertically over it. The dorsal fin is very distinctive and has tufts of cirri at the tips, which resemble small dandelion petals.

A 40 gallon tank is a possibility, but a tank of at least 100 gallons with adequate hiding places is recommended. The tank should be completely covered, to prevent the Long-Nose from jumping out. The Long-Nose prefers to rest on gorgonian sea fans and black coral. Imitating this environment is a good idea, even if live corals are not used. Lacking a swim bladder, the Long-Nose often rests in interesting positions on corals. In this position, it surveys the terrain for prey and then quickly swoops down in a manner reminiscent of the hunting pattern of hawks. In the wild, the Long-Nose can be found to depths of 100 feet.

The Long-Nose is a carnivore and will eat fresh and frozen meat, with brine shrimp being its main dietary source. Although it eats small fish, small crabs and shrimp, it will not bother corals, so it is an excellent reef inhabitant under the proper conditions. The Long-Nose will eat flake foods and also enjoys the zooplankton that nourish a coral reef. Other choices include freeze dried krill, squid, shrimp, mussels, and all kinds of chopped fish. It is best to feed them several times per day.

Males are smaller, more colorful and have more black fringing on the pelvic and tail fins. In the wild, males tend to maintain a territory encompassing several females. Eggs are pelagic and float with the tide. The young are all born as females, with some becoming males as they mature. The Long-Nose has been bred in captivity.