Will a Falco Hawkfish eat my cleaner shrimp?

There is a very high risk. While they may occasionally leave a large, established cleaner shrimp alone, smaller specimens or freshly moulted shrimp will likely be hunted and eaten.

Can I keep more than one Falco Hawkfish together?

It is generally not recommended unless you have a very large aquarium or are purchasing a bonded, male-female pair. Two males will fight relentlessly.

Why is my Falco Hawkfish always sitting on the sand or rocks?

This is completely natural behaviour. Because they lack a swim bladder, they cannot float in the water column and must rest on surfaces when not actively swimming.

Is the Falco Hawkfish safe for a reef tank?

They are completely safe with all corals and will happily perch among them without causing damage. However, they are not safe with small ornamental crustaceans.

Does the Falco Hawkfish jump?

Yes, despite being bottom dwellers, they are known to dart upwards when startled or chasing prey. A tight-fitting lid is essential.

MarineMarineBeginner

Falco Hawkfish

Cirrhitichthys falco

The Falco Hawkfish is a charismatic, small marine predator known for its entertaining perching behaviour and distinctive reddish-brown markings.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 22 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 5 – 7 cm
110L minimum: 110 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 7 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Live rock with plenty of perching ledges and hiding places

About the Falco Hawkfish

A longstanding favourite among marine aquarists, the Falco Hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco) is an incredibly characterful addition to the home aquarium. Lacking a functional swim bladder, these fish spend the majority of their time prominently perched on rocks or coral branches, vigilantly surveying their surroundings. They are often playfully referred to as 'dwarf hawkfish' due to their diminutive size compared to their cousins. Their hardiness and bold personalities make them an excellent choice for beginner marine keepers, provided their predatory nature is respected.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Falco Hawkfish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Falco Hawkfish comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea, Great Barrier Reef

Countries / regions

Australia, Maldives, Philippines, Indonesia

Habitat

Coastal to outer reef slopes, typically found perching on coral heads and rocky outcroppings.

Widespread across the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea down to the southern Great Barrier Reef.

Similar species

Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
Flame Hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
Arc-eye Hawkfish
Paracirrhites arcatus

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Dwarf Angelfish
Centropyge spp.
Occupy different levels of the aquarium and are robust enough to completely ignore the hawkfish.
Great
Tangs
Acanthuridae
Active, open-water swimmers that will not compete with the hawkfish for benthic territory.
Great
Blennies
Blenniidae
Both are bottom dwellers that frequently perch on rocks; they may compete for territory in smaller aquariums.
Compatible with caution
Other Hawkfish
Cirrhitidae
Highly intolerant of other hawkfish species unless kept in very large systems or as a confirmed mated pair.
Not recommended
Ornamental Shrimp
Caridea
Hawkfish are natural predators of small crustaceans and will gladly hunt and eat most ornamental shrimp.
Not recommended

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