Longnose Hawkfish

The Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) is a distinguished species of marine ray-finned fish within the family Cirrhitidae. This species inhabits the tropical reefs of the 🇮🇳 Indian and 🌊 Pacific Oceans, typically found at depths ranging from 10 to 100 meters (33 to 328 feet). The Longnose Hawkfish shows a preference for the steep outer slopes of reefs, particularly among gorgonians and black corals. Notably, it can achieve a total length of up to 13 centimeters (5.1 inches) and is frequently featured in the aquarium trade. Currently, it is recognized as the sole species within its genus.

First formally described in 1857 by renowned Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker, the type specimen was identified on Ambon Island, 🇮🇩 Indonesia. Bleeker categorized it within the monotypic genus Oxycirrhites. The genus name, Oxycirrhites, combines "oxy," meaning sharp or pointed, with "Cirrhites," an alternate spelling of the family type genus, Cirrhitus. The specific epithet "typus" indicates its status as the type species of its genus.

Distinguished by its elongated snout—approximately twice the length of the head—the Longnose Hawkfish is set apart from other hawkfish species. Its jaws contain uniform-sized canine teeth, slightly larger than the adjacent band of villiform teeth. The dorsal fin is characterized by 10 spines and 13 soft rays, while the anal fin comprises 3 spines and 7 soft rays. Capable of reaching a maximum length of 13 centimeters (5.1 inches), each dorsal fin spine is capped with a tuft of cirri. The species is primarily whitish, marked with a distinctive grid pattern of horizontal and vertical red lines.

The Longnose Hawkfish boasts a wide Indo-Pacific distribution. Within the 🌊 Indian Ocean, it ranges from the 🌊 Red Sea and along the eastern African coast down to northern 🇲🇿 Mozambique and 🇲🇬 Madagascar, extending across the 🌊 Indian Ocean into the Pacific as far east as the Hawaiian and Society Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia) in 🇵🇫 French Polynesia, north to 🇯🇵 Japan, and south to 🇦🇺 Australia. Its presence in 🇦🇺 Australia extends from the southwest of Barrow Island to Scott Reef in Western Australia, Ashmore Reef in the Timor Sea, Lizard Island southward to Escape Reef in Queensland, as well as at Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. In the eastern 🌊 Pacific Ocean, the species is observed from the southern tip of Baja California and the central Gulf of California extending south to Colombia, including Revillagigedos, Galapagos, Cocos, and Malpelo Islands. It inhabits slopes exposed to strong currents, residing among large gorgonians and black corals.

The Longnose Hawkfish primarily feeds on small benthic or planktonic crustaceans. It is considered uncommon to rare across most of its range and exhibits territorial behavior. Reproduction occurs through pelagic spawning, with individuals forming distinct monogamous pairs for breeding purposes.