Longnose hawkfish

The longnose hawkfish is a small reef fish in the family Cirrhitidae, found across the Indo-Pacific and eastern Pacific. It typically perches among gorgonians and black corals on steep reef walls. It has a white body overlaid with a bold red cross-hatch pattern and an elongated snout, and lacks a swim bladder, so it rests on fins and coral branches rather than swimming continuously. The netted red markings are unmistakable. It is generally peaceful toward similar-sized fish but is a predator of small shrimp and other tiny motile invertebrates, so it is not fully reef-safe with those animals. It needs a secure, covered aquarium with perching structures and hardy tankmates. It readily accepts meaty foods such as mysis and chopped seafood. Hardy and easy to keep, suiting beginner to intermediate keepers.