Soaring Hawkfish

The Soaring Hawkfish, Cyprinocirrhites polyactis, is also known as the Swallowtail Hawkfish. Its forked tail and habit of feeding in the water column distinguish its display from a hawkfish that spends nearly all its time sitting on one ledge.

Provide rocky shelter and perching areas near open swimming water. A suitable community should withstand a hawkfish's assertiveness; timid anthias, dartfish and very small gobies can be poor companions. Consider the animals already using the same feeding and shelter spaces.

Feed a varied selection of small marine meaty foods, including suitable frozen carnivore preparations. Its natural diet includes crustaceans and zooplankton, so ornamental shrimp deserve particular scrutiny. Observe both the hawkfish and its neighbours during feeding rather than assuming a colourful midwater swimmer cannot cause territorial or predation problems.