Fish of The Week

Last Update : Monday 20 August, 2001 10:15 PM

Illust : Anuwat Saisaeng

Longnose Hawkfish

Scientific name

Oxycirrhites typus

Common name

Longnose hawkfish

Size

10 centimeters

Dispersion

Andaman Sea, not found in the Gulf of Thailand

Area found

On the seabed. Some times found on other animal like gorgonian

Depth
10-50 meters, mainly at 20-30 meters

Feed on
Plankton, using the beak to pinch.

Situation

Depends on quantity of gogonian and black coral

Conservation

Do not chase or bother them too much. They might migrate.

Fish Tip

Considered one of the sought after. Those who find them should be proud.

          Some 6 or 7 years ago, longnose hawkfish was considered, among divers, very ‘in’ to find because we had little knowledge about the sea. There were very few divers who set out to look at each type of fish. Mostly, people went down sightseeing. But when the photograph of longnose hawkfish was published in the T.O.T magazine it created a turning point to make people more interested in this type of fish.

          Longnose hawkfish is more difficult to be found than other type of hawkfish in the Thai Sea such as shortnose hawkfish. But their habitats are near to each other. Normally, they can be found around large gorgonian and black coral. Probability to find at other place is slim. So, the technique to find this type of fish is not a difficult one. Just swim to look around gorgonian and black coral. Keep on looking. You’ll find them one day.

          I met longnose hawkfish many times. So, I studied their habit. I found that they stay still mainly. But if we go near them, they would dart away. There is a trick here. Longnose hawkfish will always come back to the same place. If you want to see him again, keep on staring at the place. You can be sure that within 2 minutes the hawkfish will return. (In this case do not get too close.)

          Nowadays, more and more divers have found hawkfish. So, the popularity has reduced. Divers turn to look for Harlequin ghost pipefish, Frog fish etc. But every time I am in the water and meet longnose hawkfish, I could not resist the temptation to admire or to take the photograph because they are always lovely.

          For you who would like to see the real fish, you have to be a SCUBA diver only. Snorkel diver has no chance to see them. For visitors to Talay Thai.com, we are proud to present one of the best photographs of longnose hawkfish in Thailand on your computer screen. You are welcome to click.

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Longnose Hawkfish



Scientific name	Oxycirrhites typus
Common name	Longnose hawkfish
Size	10 centimeters
Dispersion	Andaman Sea, not found in the Gulf of Thailand
Area found	On the seabed. Some times found on other animal like gorgonian
Depth	10-50 meters, mainly at 20-30 meters
Feed on	Plankton, using the beak to pinch.
Situation	Depends on quantity of gogonian and black coral
Conservation	Do not chase or bother them too much. They might migrate.
Fish Tip	Considered one of the sought after. Those who find them should be proud.