Hawkfish Spotted (Cirrhitichthys Oxycephalus)
Also Known As: Forster's Hawkfish, Blackside Hawkfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Spotted Hawkfish is a bold, personality-packed perch fish that quickly becomes a tank favorite. A spiky dorsal fin, stout pectorals, and expressive eyes give it the classic hawk profile as it rests on rock ledges and coral branches, scanning the tank for food and intruders. This is a semi-aggressive species that can be territorial around its favorite perches, so it usually does best alongside similarly sized or larger tankmates that won't be easily bullied. It's considered reef safe with caution. It typically ignores corals, but it may prey on small ornamental shrimp, tiny crabs, and very small fish if given the chance. Many hobbyists find that, over time, Spotted Hawkfish become very interactive and curious, often perching right at the front glass and darting out with quick, precise strikes at feeding time.
Aquarium Requirements
A mature marine aquarium with plenty of sturdy rockwork, coral branches, and ledges is the right setup, since perching is core to how this fish lives. A secure lid is strongly recommended, as hawkfish are capable jumpers, especially when startled or during lighting transitions. They appreciate moderate to strong flow and good oxygenation, and they often pick perches in areas with active water movement so they can watch for food drifting past. This species adapts well to a wide variety of lighting and aquascape styles, from mixed reefs to FOWLR systems, as long as the scape includes multiple vantage points and hiding spots that break up sightlines and reduce territorial tension. Offer a varied diet of frozen mysis shrimp, finely chopped shrimp, krill, and quality marine carnivore pellets to keep them healthy, colorful, and engaged.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 1.5-2.5"
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons or larger recommended
Special Considerations: Best housed in aquascapes with abundant rockwork, ledges, and branching structure for perching; capable jumper, so a secure lid is recommended
Pairs well with
Hawkfish Spotted (Cirrhitichthys Oxycephalus)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.