Swallowtail Hawkfish

The Swallowtail Hawkfish is one of the most unusual members of the hawkfish family, distinguished by its deeply forked lyretail and its remarkable habit of swimming freely in the water column rather than perching on the bottom. While most hawkfish are dedicated bottom-dwellers that lack a functional swim bladder, the Swallowtail Hawkfish has adapted to feed on zooplankton in mid-water, making it a fascinating exception to the typical hawkfish lifestyle.

This species displays a warm pinkish to reddish-brown body with lighter underparts and a distinctively forked caudal fin that gives it its common name. Its overall appearance is more streamlined and graceful than most hawkfish, reflecting its active swimming habits. In the aquarium, it can be observed hovering in the water column, darting to capture passing food items, and only occasionally resting on rock surfaces.

The Swallowtail Hawkfish is reef-safe with corals and generally compatible with a wide range of community fish. It is less aggressive than most hawkfish species, though it can still show territorial behavior toward similar-sized fish. Its unique swimming behavior, attractive coloration, and manageable size make it an excellent choice for intermediate aquarists seeking an unusual and engaging hawkfish that defies the typical perching stereotype.