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Size
6-8 inches (15-20 cm) -
Diet
Shrimp, small fishes, and crustaceans -
Range
Indo-Pacific -
Habitat
Lagoons and seaward reefs
Physical Characteristics
- A small, grouper-like fish with a maximum length of about 8 inches (20 cm).
- Displays a range of colors from olive to red, brown and even yellow; generally darker dorsally.
- Has a distinctive dark ring extending around and behind the eyes.
Animal Fact
The arc-eye hawkfish is named for the distinctive dark ring around the eye.
Diet / Feeding
- Diet consists of shrimp, small fishes, crab and other crustaceans.
Range / Habitat
- Occurs in the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands, Line Islands, and Mangaréva Islands, Southern Japan, Australia and Rapa, and throughout Micronesia.
- Found in lagoons and seaward reefs at depths of about 3-110 feet (1-33 m).
Reproduction & Growth
- A sequential hermaphrodite: females may change gender and become male.
- Males are territorial and maintain a harem of numerous females.
- Spawning occurs at dusk.
Conservation Status
- “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List.
Additional Information
- Often seen perching on the edge of coral heads or rocks, feeding during the day.
Sources
- www.fishbase.org
- Coral Reef Fishes. Lieske, E. and Myers, R., pg. 34
