🐠 Swallowtail Hawkfish (Cyprinocirrhites polyactis)
A Vibrant Red Body With a Distinctively Forked, Swallow-Like Tail • A Real Swim-Bladder Exception Among Hawkfish • Actively Swims and Hovers Rather Than Perching
 
📋 The Swallowtail Hawkfish, also known as the Soaring Hawkfish or Red Hawkfish, has a vibrant red body with darker splotches, occasional yellow accents toward the caudal fin, and a distinctively forked, swallow-like tail.
It comes from the reefs of Indonesia and the wider Indo-Pacific, found among rocky crevices and coral reefs at depths of roughly 3 to 46 metres. Every Swallowtail Hawkfish we ship is feeding well.
A fascinating fact: unlike virtually every other hawkfish, this species possesses a swim bladder, letting it actively swim and hover in open water above the reef, rather than perching motionless on rockwork like its relatives. This is a predatory species by nature and shouldn't be housed with significantly smaller fish or crustaceans it could consume. It's fully reef safe with corals, and does best in a peaceful setting with plenty of live rock to explore and establish territory around, though it can become territorial toward other fish given its assertive nature. It reaches up to 15cm, so a 150L tank suits it well.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Vibrant Red Body With a Forked Tail: A striking, distinctive hawkfish
🏊 A Swim-Bladder Exception: Actively swims and hovers, unlike most hawkfish
🌿 Fully Reef Safe: Won't harm corals
⚠️ Predatory: Not suited to housing with small fish or crustaceans
💪 Hardy: A robust, adaptable addition for a peaceful reef tank