The arc-eye hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) is a species of ray-finned fish in the family Cirrhitidae, the hawkfishes. It is found across the tropical Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the central Pacific (including the Hawaiian and Pitcairn Islands), and from Japan south to Australia. The arc-eye hawkfish inhabits lagoons and seaward coral reefs, often resting motionless among coral heads at depths of 1 to 30 metres (3 to 100 ft). With a length of up to 20 centimetres (8 in), it has variable colouration, typically pale pinkish-brown. The species feeds on crustaceans and small fishes, is usually solitary, and spawns in pairs. It is also collected for the aquarium trade. This arc-eye hawkfish was photographed off the coast of Zanzibar in Tanzania.
Author: Diego Delso
