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Longnose Hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus
A close up of a longnose hawkfish amidst a cluster of purple coral.

Longnose Hawkfish

Oxycirrhites typus
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

Longnose hawkfish are a small species of fish that only grows to be around 5 inches long. Its white body with red lines that create a grid-like pattern make it a distinctive fish to spot. A long pointed mouth helps it easily catch its small prey.

Habitat

The longnose hawkfish lives in tropical waters between around 15 and 330 feet deep. It is most commonly found living on and around soft corals.

Diet

Zooplankton and small crustaceans.

Life History

The male longnose hawkfish begins counting its mate around sunset. After sunset the male and female hawkfish will rapidly swim up into the water before returning to the corals below. Longnose hawkfish form monogamous pairs.

IUCN Status

Least Concern

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

Longnose hawkfish eat zooplankton and small prey. When they are then in turn eaten by larger animals it allows the hawkfish to act as a bridge that carries nutrients from the bottom of the ecosystem to the top.
Range
Red sea, off the coast of eastern Africa. Indo Pacific, Gulf of California, western coast of Mexico and Central America.
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
This species is named hawkfish due to perching on soft corals like a hawk.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Oxycirrhites typus Bleeker, 1857 Longnose hawkfish https://fishbase.se/summary/oxycirrhites-typus
  • Greenfield, D. & Williams, I. 2016. Oxycirrhites typus (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 201
  • Species: Oxycirrhites typus, Longnose hawkfish. Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute. https://biogeodb.stri.si.edu/sftep/en/thefishes/species/1594
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Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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