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Species Details

Details of Longnose Hawkfish will be displayed below

Longnose Hawkfish   

Common Name: Longnose Hawkfish
Scientific Name: Oxycirrhites typus
Local Name: Thundhigu'gaa'boa
Dhivehi Name: ތުންދިގު ގާބޯ
Animalia  (Kingdom)
Chordata  (Plylum)
Actinopterygii  (Class)
Perciformes  (Order)
Cirrhitidae  (Family)
Unknown   (Genus)

Longnose Hawkfish's description

The longnose hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus, is a species of hawkfish found on tropical reefs of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, where it can be found at depths around 10 to 100 m (33 to 328 ft). It prefers the steep outer slopes of the reefs amongst gorgonians and black corals. This species can reach 13 cm (5.1 in) in total length.

Longnose Hawkfish's facts

Do you know?

It is currently the only known member in its genus.

Longnose Hawkfish's Behavior & Ecology

Inhabits steep outer reef slopes exposed to strong currents where it lives in large gorgonians and black corals. The suggestion that this species lays demersal eggs is questionable. Pelagic spawning has been observed for this species from field observations. Monogamous (exclusive mating relationship between a single male and a single female). Longnose hawkfish is strongly territorial. Uncommon to rare in most areas.

Longnose Hawkfish's Feeding

Feeds on small benthic or planktonic crustaceans

Longnose Hawkfish's Reproduction

Longnose hawkfish is known distinct pairing. Actual spawning lasts about 1-2 seconds while ascending a distance of less than 0.25 m. Courtship and spawning behavior is similar to that described for other species:

  1. courtship commences just before or after sunset with spawning after sunset.
  2. successive courtship and spawning by the male in social groups containing one or more females
  3. courtship and spawning at a site common to both male and female or at a site located within the female's home area.
  4. pelagic spawning with a rapid but relatively short ascent into the water column by both male and female.
  5. return of the male and female to resident corals afte spawning. Monogamous mating is observed as both facultative and social.

Longnose Hawkfish's Relationship with Humans

Longnose Hawkfish can be found in the aquarium trade. 

Longnose Hawkfish habitat

Oxycirrhites typus lives as solitary individuals or in small groups inhabiting steep outer reef slopes exposed to strong currents (Randall 1985, Allen and Erdmann 2012). It is often found living in Gorgonian fans and black corals (Randall 1985). Oxycirrhites typus is found at a depth between 10 m and 100 m, although more commonly found at a depth below 25 m. This species has a maximum total length of approximately 13 cm (Allen and Erdmann 2012). It feeds on small benthic or planktonic crustaceans (Randall 1985).

Longnose Hawkfish threats

There are no known major threats at this time. Oxycirrhites typus is collected for the aquarium trade; however, it is highly unlikely that the species would be significantly impacted by any collection efforts. As this species is closely associated with corals, any threat to these corals (e.g. climate change or habitat destruction) could lead to substantial declines in abundance which could then lead to reductions in populations of this species. However, it is unlikely that such impacts would threaten this species within three generation lengths. Due to its preference for deeper colder waters, its host corals may be afforded some protection from any threats from climate change or habitat destruction.

Longnose Hawkfish's status