Red Hawkfish
Cyprinocirrhites polyactis
Price range: $48.99 through $56.99
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
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| In Stock | 2 - 3" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $107.99.$56.99Current price is: $56.99. |
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| Only 6 left | 2" or smaller - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $93.99.$48.99Current price is: $48.99. |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
Red Hawkfish (Cyprinocirrhites polyactis), also commonly sold as the lyretail or swallowtail hawkfish, is an orange-to-reddish hawkfish with a distinctly forked tail that often ends in trailing tips. In a reef tank it tends to “post up” on ledges and coral branches, then make short, purposeful swims into the water column to intercept food.
What You’ll Observe:
- Perching on rockwork like a lookout, often returning to the same favorite spots each day
- Quick dashes into open water when food hits the flow, then back to a perch
- A steady “watching” posture—tracking other fish and your movement outside the glass
- Confident feeding at the front once it learns your routine
To help it settle in, provide plenty of stable rockwork with shelves and overhangs, plus open lanes for short swimming bursts. Offer a mix of meaty frozen foods (like mysis) and other carnivore-ready options, and aim for consistent feeding times so it learns where to meet the food.
Will it eat my cleaner shrimp if the shrimp is already established?
It can view ornamental shrimp as food, even if the shrimp has been in the tank first. Results vary by individual fish and tank layout, so plan stocking around the possibility.
Why does it “sit still” for long periods—does that mean something is wrong?
Perching and staying motionless is typical hawkfish behavior. Many spend long stretches posted on a ledge, then become very active at feeding time.
Can I train it to eat from a feeder tube or pipette?
Many hobbyists report hawkfish quickly learning targeted feeding because they watch the water column for food. Start by delivering small pieces near its usual perch so it associates that spot with meals.
Will it bother SPS by perching in acropora or on coral frags?
They often choose branching corals as perches, which can occasionally shift unsecured frags. Using reef-safe putty or stable frag plugs helps keep your layout intact.
Does its attitude change when I add new fish later?
It may “own” certain perches and investigate newcomers closely. Adding new fish with the lights dimmed and ensuring multiple hiding/escape routes in the rockwork usually helps the tank settle quickly.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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