Falco Hawkfish

The Falco Hawkfish is a diminutive and endearing species that is one of the smallest hawkfish available in the marine aquarium hobby. Reaching only about 3 inches in maximum length, it is sometimes referred to as the Dwarf Hawkfish. Its body is adorned with a pattern of reddish-brown spots and streaks over a white to pinkish base, with distinctive tufted cirri (hair-like projections) atop the dorsal fin spines that are characteristic of the hawkfish family. Small red spots scattered across the body create an attractive speckled appearance.

In the wild, Falco Hawkfish are found perched on coral rubble, small coral heads, and rocky outcrops in the Western Pacific, from southern Japan through the Philippines and Indonesia to the Great Barrier Reef. Their small size allows them to utilize perching sites that larger hawkfish species would bypass, including individual coral branches and small rock ledges. They are alert micro-predators that feed on tiny crustaceans and zooplankton captured in quick darting strikes from their perch. Despite their diminutive stature, they display the same watchful, intelligent behavior that characterizes the entire hawkfish family.

The Falco Hawkfish is an outstanding choice for beginner aquarists and is particularly well-suited for smaller reef aquariums. Its small size means it can thrive in tanks as modest as 30 gallons, and its hardy constitution makes it resistant to common marine diseases. While semi-aggressive, its small size significantly limits the scope of its territorial behavior, and it is far less likely to bother tankmates than larger hawkfish species. It is reef-safe with caution, as it may consume very small ornamental shrimp such as sexy shrimp but generally leaves larger cleaner shrimp alone. Provide small perching spots and rockwork with interesting topography to bring out its natural behavior.