Falco Hawkfish

The Falco Hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco) — also known as the Dwarf Hawkfish, Coral Hawkfish, or Spotted Hawkfish — is one of the most personality-packed small predators in the marine aquarium hobby. Its creamy white body is decorated with irregular reddish-brown spots and bars that break up into a mottled pattern across the head and back, with delicate feathery cirri tufting from the tips of each dorsal spine. At just 3 to 4 inches, this dwarf hawkfish packs an outsized amount of charm into a compact, reef-friendly size.

Like all hawkfish, the Falco lacks a swim bladder and spends its day perching on rockwork, coral branches, and high vantage points rather than swimming freely through the water column. From its chosen lookout, it observes the tank with sharp predatory awareness, occasionally darting out to snap up food or investigate movement. This perching behavior gives hawkfish their distinctive name and makes them some of the most entertaining and interactive fish to keep — they will often come to the front of the tank to greet their keeper at feeding time.

Falco Hawkfish are hardy, adaptable, and reef safe with corals, but they should not be trusted with small ornamental shrimp, micro-hermits, or tiny fish, as they are opportunistic predators that will hunt anything that fits in their mouth. They are peaceful with appropriately sized tankmates but can be territorial with their own kind unless kept as a confirmed mated pair. Diet is simple — mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, and quality marine pellets are all readily accepted. A 30-gallon minimum with plenty of rockwork perches is ideal, and a tight-fitting lid is recommended as hawkfish can occasionally jump.

At Ocean To You, every fish is quarantined and observed before sale. We don't sell sick fish.