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Family Cirrhitidae
Hawkfishes
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Hawkfishes are usually seen perched upon the
reef or live corals as they wait for unsuspecting fishes or arthropods to come
by. Unlike other ambush predators hawkfishes move about frequently.
Smaller species are often kept in aquaria.
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HAWAII
Amblycirrhitus bimacula
Makapu'u, Oahu, 35 feet |
Makapu'u, Oahu, 35 feet |
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TWOSPOT HAWKFISH
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A cryptic species usually hidden
within small crevices or branching coral. Pale red-brown with black
oval spot below the soft
dorsal fin and on the gill cover. Less than 3 inches. Hawaii & the
Indo-Pacific.
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Cirrhitops fasciatus
Corsair wreck, Midway Atoll, 110 feet
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Palea Point, Oahu, 30 feet |
Kahe Point, Oahu, 25 feet
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Sea Tiger Wreck, Oahu, 80 feet |
Sea Tiger Wreck, Oahu, 80 feet
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Sea Tiger Wreck, Oahu, 80 feet |
Portlock, Oahu, 25 feet |
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REDBARRED HAWKFISH
PILIKO'A
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Common reefs at scuba depths. Varies from bright red to greenish
brown. Small angular spot on gill cover and diffuse blotch may be present on
caudal peduncle. Up to 4. 5 inches. Restricted to Hawaii, Mauritius, and
Madagascar. |
Cirrhitus pinnulatus
Lanai Lookout, Oahu, 40 feet |
Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 25 feet |
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STOCKY HAWKFISH
PO'OPA'A
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Common on shallow reefs exposed to
surge. Up to 11 inches. The only Hawaii hawkfish regularly captured for human
consumption. Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific. |
Oxycirrhites typus
Mokapu Pinnacle, Oahu, 110 feet |
Mokapu Pinnacle, Oahu, 110 feet |
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LONGNOSE HAWKFISH
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An uncommon deepwater species
typically found with gorgonians and black coral.
Feeds upon zooplankton. Up to 5 inches. Indo-Pacific,
Hawaii, and Tropical Eastern Pacific. |
Paracirrhites arcatus
Honaunau, Hawaii, 30 feet
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Pokai Bay, Oahu, 50 feet |
Kaohe, Hawaii, 40 feet
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Mokapu, Oahu, 30 feet |
Blowhole, Oahu, 25 feet |
Firehouse, Oahu, 30 feet
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100 ft. Hole, Waikiki, Oahu, 75 feet |
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ARCEYE HAWKFISH
HILU PILIKO'A
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Very common perched upon coral heads
at scuba depths. Coloration is variable but ring
behind eye is always present. Up to 5.5 inches. Hawaii & the
Indo-Pacific. |
Paracirrhites forsteri
Hanauma Bay, Oahu, 40 feet
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Puako, Hawaii, 25 feet |
Blowhole, Oahu, 25 feet
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Juvenile, Mokapu, Oahu, 35 feet |
Dark form, Poloa, American Samoa, 30 feet
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Sharkfin, Lana'i, 30 feet |
Juvenile, Waimea Bay, Oahu, 30 feet
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Juvenile, Waimea Bay, Oahu, 30 feet |
Juvenile, Waimea Bay, Oahu, 30 feet |
Juvenile, Waimea Bay, Oahu, 30 feet
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BLACKSIDE HAWKFISH
HILU PILIKO'A
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Common on large coral
heads in shallow water. Numerous dark freckles on head. Juveniles are striped with
yellow-green, or red-brown over white. Dark color phase with yellow
peduncle outside of Hawaii. Up to 9 inches.
Hawaii & the Indo-Pacific. |
INDO-PACIFIC
Paracirrhites hemistictus
Coconut Point, American Samoa, 25 feet |
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HALFSPOTTED HAWKFISH
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An uncommon species along reef dropoffs.
Two color morphs are seen but always
have large black spots on rear half. Up to inches. Eastern
Indian Ocean & Tropical Pacific. |
Cirrhitichthys falco
Poloa, American Samoa, 50 feet |
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DWARF HAWKFISH
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Common in base of coral heads at scuba depths. Cheek has
two red bars. Less than 3 inches. Maldives to Japan and
Samoa. |
Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
Wakatobi, Indonesia, 30 feet |
Wakatobi, Indonesia, 30 feet |
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REDSPOTTED HAWKFISH
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Uncommon in base of coral heads at scuba depths.
Cheek has several spots. Up to 3.5 inches. Indo-Pacific
& Tropical Eastern Pacific. |
JAPAN
Cirrhitichthys aureus
Futo, Izu, Japan, 45 feet |
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GOLDEN HAWKFISH
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Uncommon at scuba depths on dropoffs. Attains 5 inches.
From India, China, Japan, and Sulawesi. |
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