Arc-eye hawkfish
Paracirrhites arcatus
Coral hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
About
The coral hawkfish is a small reef fish native to tropical reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is occasionally kept in aquariums.
Also known as: sharp-headed hawkfish, spotted hawkfish, coral hawkfish, pixy hawkfish, coral hopper, coral hawkfish, spotted hawkfish, sharp-headed hawkfish, pixy hawkfish, pixy hawkfish, coral hawkfish
- Length
- 10 cm
- Depth
- 10–25 m
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
How to tell it apart
Several small reef fish perch motionless on coral in the same way. Up close, this one is fringed with tiny hair-like tufts, called cirri, on its nostrils and at the tip of each dorsal spine - a mark its lookalikes lack.
Appearance
It has an oval, moderately flattened body and a pointed snout, and grows up to 10 cm long.
Habitat
It lives in areas of dense coral growth in clear lagoon, channel, or outer reef water, usually staying below the surge zone at depths of about 10 to 25 m.
Behaviour
It perches motionless on top of soft corals and sponges, or rests beneath hard and soft corals, waiting to ambush passing crustaceans and small fish.
Did you know?
Its scientific name, oxycephalus, means "pointed head" - a nod to its sharp, pointed snout.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
