Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
By Bob Goemans
Likely Reef Tank Suitable
Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable
Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Red Sea and South Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, north to Southern Japan, south to New Caledonia. Also the Eastern Pacific Ocean: Gulf of California to northern Colombia and the Galapagos Islands.
Size: 5 inches (12 cm)
Natural Environment: Inhabits steep outer reef slopes that are exposed to strong currents where it mostly stays on large gorgonians and black corals. Generally found at depths between 3 – 85 feet (1 – 25 m) where it feeds on small crustaceans.
General Husbandry: Commonly seen in the trade and one of the most popular hawkfish with marine hobbyists. Quite attractive having a reddish white body with red striping that goes horizontally and vertically.
Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums, which should contain various rocky areas where the species can take shelter if needing it, or perch/sit on and watch the activity of other tankmates or see where food enters the aquarium.
Even though not overly feisty, this species should not be housed with non-aggressive fishes such as anthias, dartfishes, small gobies and flasher wrasses.
As to diet, finely chopped products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed twice daily.
Taxonomy:
Order: Perciformes
Suborder: Percoidei
Family: Cirrhitidae
Genus: Oxycirrhites
FYI: Will eat small ornamental shrimp (including cleaner shrimp) and tubeworms.
Cannot be trusted with very small fish such as Neon Gobies.
Will defend its preferred sitting areas.
May annoy sessile invertebrates by sitting on them.
Adults do not possess a swim bladder.
Strong pelvic fins are used as supports when perching.
One per aquarium unless a mated pair.
Requires a covered aquarium, as it’s a good jumper!
Experience Level: Beginner
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Coral Safe: Yes
Fish Safe: With caution
Invertebrate Safe: With caution
Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+
Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium
Tankmates: Moderately aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons
Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)
Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026
pH: 8.0 - 8.5
.jpg "Oxycirrhites typus (Longnose Hawkfish)")
