Coral hawkfish

The coral hawkfish is a small, characterful predator found widely across the Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific, where it perches on coral heads and rock using its thickened pectoral fin rays to watch for prey. Its whitish body is spotted with red-brown blotches, and it grows to about 8 cm. Hardy and undemanding, it is a good choice for beginners but is a carnivore that will hunt small fish, shrimp and other mobile invertebrates, so it is not safe with ornamental shrimp or tiny fish; it is otherwise reef-safe around corals. Feed meaty foods such as mysis, chopped seafood and enriched frozen preparations. Semi-aggressive and territorial, it should be kept singly unless in a very large system with an established pair. A secure lid is important, as hawkfish can jump. Standard warm reef water with normal marine salinity keeps it in excellent condition.