All fish / Cirrhitidae

Arc-eye Hawkfish

Paracirrhites arcatus

Also known as arc eye hawkfish, arceye hawkfish, ring-eye hawkfish, horseshoe hawkfish, arc-eyed hawkfish, メガネゴンベ, 副䱵, 弓纹副䱵

A stocky hawkfish with a horseshoe-shaped ring behind the eye, picked out in orange, pink and blue, and often a pale stripe along the rear body. It sits on rocks and corals with its thick pectoral fins and darts out after food. Aquarists like it for its hardiness, bold character and lively watchful behaviour.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, quality pellets

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific: East Africa to Hawaii and the Tuamotus

Breeding

Pairs spawn at dusk, releasing floating eggs into open water, and the larvae drift in the plankton. Captive breeding is rare and not practical for most hobbyists.

Good to know

It will eat small shrimps and may harass small, slow fish, so pick tankmates with care. It is safe with corals but may perch on them and squash delicate polyps.