Tuamotu Hawkfish

Tuamotu Hawkfish (Paracirrhites nisus) is a hardy, semi-aggressive, and relatively uncommon species that shares the typical hawkfish behavior of perching on rockwork or coral with the added caution of a strong predatory instinct toward small, motile invertebrates and tiny fish. This fish can be quite variable in appearance, but is generally described as a pale tan or yellowish-gold color with a distinctive horizontal white stripe, which is typically outlined by two black stripes, running along its body. It is native to the Western Central Pacific, including the Tuamotu Archipelago. This species reaches a maximum size of up to 3 inches (8.1 cm), making it one of the smaller, more manageable hawkfish. It requires a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons or larger and needs plenty of live rock to provide ledges, caves, and crevices for perching and hiding. It is generally considered Reef Safe with Caution: it will not harm corals or sessile invertebrates (like clams), but it is a known predator of ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and fish small enough to fit in its mouth. It should be kept singly unless a known male/female pair is established, and a tight-fitting lid is essential as it is a jumper. Its diet should consist of a varied mix of meaty foods, including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, various marine meats, and quality pellet/flake foods, fed multiple times daily. International Aquatics Quarantine & Guarantee: All fish are checked by marine vets, given a formalin bath, and held for 14 days in copper-treated systems. We feed Selcon-soaked food with Kanaplex and Metroplex during quarantine. Unless marked, all livestock comes with our 15-Day Guarantee. You will receive a video of your fish eating before shipment. On request, we also send photos/videos after arrival at IA. Several species will be import-to-order and may take anywhere from 3-10 business days to secure. Once your fish is secured, you will be notified, and the quarantine process will then begin.