Hawkfish?

stephen_g · Jul 3, 2016

Hey all, I bought this fish a couple weeks ago and it was sold to me as a wrasse. The tank it was in was kind of dark and I didn't think it was a wrasse... But hey, what do I know?

After getting in the car, getting the bag out and inspecting the fish, I noticed the dorsal fin looked a lot like a hawkfish I used to have.

So, what exactly is this fish?

eliramos · Jul 3, 2016

Bump but I think some sort of hawkfish

stephen_g · Jul 3, 2016

He acts like a hawk. The rock he's perched on is the highest point in the theater, and his favorite spot.

4FordFamily · Jul 3, 2016

It's definitely a hawk but I'm not sure which, looks like a juvenile.

@eatbreakfast @evolved

kozzy · Jul 4, 2016

its called a "red hawkfish" but also known as swallowtail hawk or lyre tail hawk

stephen_g · Jul 4, 2016

Awesome! Are they fairly common? He's the first I've seen in the 4 years I've been in the hobby.

eatbreakfast · Jul 4, 2016

Saltwaterfishy said:
its called a "red hawkfish" but also known as swallowtail hawk or lyre tail hawk

Yes, it is Cyprinocirrhites polyactis. They are a smaller species of hawk. Not quite as peaceful as the flame or longnose, but not much worse either.

stephen_g · Jul 4, 2016

So will he get much bigger than he is now? He's about 2 - 2 1/2"

eatbreakfast · Jul 4, 2016

stephen_g said:
So will he get much bigger than he is now? He's about 2 - 2 1/2"

Their size is listed at 6", but the largest I have ever seen is 4".

stephen_g · Jul 4, 2016

Nice. I had a Falco hawk that I ended up having to get rid of because he just turned into a monster, harassing any new additions.

Is this one going to do the same?

And could I add a long nose later? Or would more than one hawk in a 120 be trouble?

eatbreakfast · Jul 4, 2016

stephen_g said:
Nice. I had a Falco hawk that I ended up having to get rid of because he just turned into a monster, harassing any new additions.

Is this one going to do the same?

And could I add a long nose later? Or would more than one hawk in a 120 be trouble?

I find lyretails to be on par with falco hawks, so it may do the same. This is not a species I would keep a second hawkfish with. Flames and longnoses will mix, but I would recommend against this with a Lyretail.