Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
| Latin name | Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus - (Bleeker, 1855) |
|---|---|
| Local name | Coral hawkfish |
| Family | Cirrhitidae - Cirrhitichthys |
| Origin | East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, The Red Sea, Indonesia, East Pacific, Central/West Pacific |
| Max length | 10 cm (3.9") |
| Minimum volume |
100 l (26 gal) 
|
|---|---|
| Hardiness |
Hardy
|
| Suitable for aquarium |
Suitable with care
|
| Reef safe |
Reef safe with caution
|
| Aggressiveness | Aggressive towards other species |
| Recommended |
Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) |
|---|---|
| Maybee |
Fish |
This spicies might be a threat to smaller fishes.
This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.
This species can be kept in a small tank, if it is specifically equipped to meet its needs.
It is recommended however, to keep it in an aquarium which is larger then described above.
This species can be extremely aggressive towards other fish.
Be careful when keeping these fish together with peaceful or docile species. Regular feeding, plenty of hiding places and a lot of space can alleviate aggressive behavior to some degree.
This species often has a fun and interesting personality.
They can live as a pair provided they are introduced simultaneously.
This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.
This species can change gender from female to male.
When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.
Can be distinguished from similar species by having spots rather than lines under the eye.
Hawkfish stay still and wait for food most of the time, they are therefore suitable for smaller aquaria.
One must be aware that Hawkfishes can be very aggressive.
Very aggressive genera
The very aggressive species will sometimes attack many different types of fish, even the ones that are larger than themselves.
Cirrhitops
Cirrhitus
Paracirrhtes
Semi aggressive genera
The semi aggressive species are most threatening towards fish whose behaviour mimcks their own, and fish which are introduced after they have settled in.
Cirrhitichthys
Less aggressive genera
The less aggressive species are rarely threatening towards fish that which do not resemble them.
Cyprinocirrhites
Neocirrhites
Oxycirrhites
Larger Hawkfishes might eat small fish, shrimps etc. in the aquarium. Species of the Cyprinocirrhites and Neocirrhites genera are least likely to eat shrimps etc.
Hawkfish do not place many demands on their surroundings or water quality, as they are fairly hardy.
It is possible to keep several Hawkfish together, but sometimes they will suddenly begin to fight after some time in the aquarium.
This may be due to them changing gender so one can end up with two males.
| Aquarium trade | Yes |
|---|---|
| Distribution | Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to East London, South Africa (Ref. 5469) and east to the Marquesan Islands, north to the Mariana Islands, south to New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 9289). |
| English common names |
Spotted hawkfish Pixy hawkfish |
| French common names |
Épervier lutin Poisson-épervier taché |
| German common names |
Gefleckter Büschelbarsch |
Scott W. Michael. 2001. Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: v. 2 (Reef Fishes) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
James W. Fatherree. The Hawkfishes - Reefs Magazine - (English)
Bob Fenner. Hawkfishes, Family Cirrhitidae Part I, Part II, Part III - Wet Web Media - (English)