All fish / Cirrhitidae

Redspotted Hawkfish

Amblycirrhitus pinos

Also known as red spotted hawkfish, redspotted hawkfish, red-spotted hawkfish, caribbean hawkfish, atlantic hawkfish, red spot hawkfish, 红斑鹰鱼

A small, stocky hawkfish with a pale body crossed by dark brown bars, tiny red spots over the head and back, and a black spot at the rear of the dorsal fin. It perches on rocks with its thick pectoral fins and darts out after food, which gives it plenty of character. Its modest size makes it one of the better hawkfish for smaller reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a mated pair in a larger tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and meaty frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Florida, Bahamas, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to northern South America; also St Helena

Breeding

Pairs spawn at dusk, rising into the water column to release pelagic eggs. Captive spawning has been seen, but raising the tiny larvae is very difficult and seldom achieved at home.

Good to know

It will eat small shrimps and may harass tiny, slow fish, so pick tankmates with care. It is generally safe with corals but shy when first introduced.