Falco Hawkfish - Medium

Falco Hawkfish

The Falco Hawkfish is a small white fish with brownish-red spots on its body. These spots form diagonal patterns down its body and spread over its' dorsal fin. The dorsal fin has 10 spines, the tips of which have small yellow tufts known as cirri. One of their common names is the Spotted Hawkfish. They shouldn't be confused with Cirrhitichthys asprinus. These are small species with adults growing to a length of 3 inches (7.6 centimeters).

Breeding information is limited. In the wild, studies show their social group to be haremic, although they can sometimes be solitary or in a pair. They are pelagic spawners, ascending into the water column, nightly. The main difference between sexes is that the male is usually bigger. If the dominant male is removed from a group a female can change sex to take on the role. What is more unusual is that a male may change sex and become female if challenged by a more dominant male.

They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific area. From the African East coast to the Maldives, Indonesia, Great Barrier Reef, Fiji, and Samoa. Usually on reef flats and outer slopes to a depth of 45 meters.

Tank Recommendations for your Falco Hawkfish

Falco Hawkfish need a tank size of at least 20 gallons (75 liters) capacity.

It does consume small shrimp and fish, but with monitoring, it can stay in a reef environment as well as a fish-only tank.

Plenty of hiding spaces should be available for it to shelter. This can also help reduce aggression. A secure lid is a good idea as they are capable of jumping out of the tank.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Falco Hawkfish are semi-aggressive but less aggressive than other hawkfish species. They can be hostile to smaller more docile species. This can be reduced with regular feeding, plenty of hiding places, and tank space.

They can stay in a reef environment, but small crustaceans may get eaten if they co-habit.

Usually Compatible

Suitable tank buddies include Angelfish, Clownfish, Tangs, and Pufferfish.

Sometime Compatible

Care should be taken with invertebrates as Falco Hawkfish will consume small crustaceans. Be sure to watch them if keeping them with Boxfish and Grunts/Sweetlips.

Rarely Compatible

Avoid docile fish & slow swimmers such as Fairy Wrasse, Gobies, Anthias, Seahorses, and Pipefish. Bigger more aggressive Hawkfish shouldn't cohabit with Falco Hawkfish. Dottybacks and Damselfish may harass them and nip their fins. Large predators like Eels, Groupers, Sharks, and Rays should also be avoided.

Feeding your Falco Hawkfish

Falco Hawkfish are carnivores. They will eat a wide range of meaty foods. A good diet should contain fish flesh, crustacean flesh, krill, squid, and mysis shrimp. Frozen preparations are also suitable as well as live feeder shrimp. They should be fed small portions several times per day,