Arc-Eyed Hawkfish Profile

Guide Fish Care Rating:

1 Stars

Scientific Name:

Paracirrhites arcatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829)

Other Common Names:

Small Hawkfish

Hawaiian Name:

Pi-li-ko-'a

Distribution:

Hawai'i and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.

Description & Average Size:

The body of this fish as an adult is a tan to reddish-tan color, with a vertical white band on its side from mid-body to the tail. There is an interesting U-shaped patch behind the eye bordered by three colors, thus giving it the name "Arc-Eye" Hawk. It also gets its name from the hunting trait that it uses similar to that of a hawk. Grows to about 5 inches.

Minimum Tank Size Suggested:

30 gallons.

Habitat:

Bottom-dweller found at varied depths on the reef, but seem to be most abundant between 15 and 30 feet near sandy bottom areas with coral heads and stones present.

Characteristics & Compatibility:

The Arc-Eye Hawkfish likes to sit on the bottom, perching itself on top of a coral head where it waits for unsuspecting prey. When threatened it will go down inside the coral head for protection. Usually anything it can fit into its mouth, it will eat, and therefore is best kept with other fish in size that are bigger than its mouth. Don't be fooled, this little fish can open its mouth much wider than you may think!

Generally this is a fish that gets along with most other species, but does best in a community of animals that are able to hold their own against possible bullying. It may show aggression towards fish introduced after it has been put into the tank, particularly ones of larger size than itself.

Diet & Feeding: A predatory carnivore, this fish's main diet consists of small crustaceans, preferably shrimps and crabs, but it may eat other small fish if the opportunity presents itself. In captivity it can be fed a daily diet of fresh or frozen meaty fares suitable for marine carnivores. This is a good choice for a reef system, because it does not eat sessile invertebrates. However, it may cause some minor physical damage to corals due to resting on top of them.

  ~Debbie & Stan Hauter