Dwarf Hawkfish

With the red-brown saddle-shaped blotches on its white body and the small tufts at the tips of its dorsal spines, the dwarf hawkfish is one of the smallest hawkfish. Because it has no swim bladder, it perches on rocks and corals and watches its surroundings by moving its head. It is a hardy species that is easy to feed; thanks to its small size it suits medium-sized reef aquariums. It is still a predator, however, and eats small shrimp.

• At least 75 liters.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe with caution: it does not eat corals, but it hunts small ornamental shrimp and crabs.
• Rock tops and corals to perch on.

Carnivorous. Offer frozen mysis, brine shrimp, krill and granule food; twice a day.

Usually calm towards fish; it may hunt very small fish (tiny gobies, fry). It is territorial towards its own species and other hawkfish; keep a single specimen.

Good companions: Clownfish, chromis, tangs, dwarf angelfish, royal gramma, damsels.

Avoid: Small ornamental shrimp, tiny fish such as the neon goby, other hawkfish.