Arc-Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) Care Guide
Named for the distinctive arc-shaped orange and blue marking behind its eye, this hawkfish displays variable coloration from orange-brown to pinkish.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Paracirrhites arcatus is a species in the family Cirrhitidae. Named for the distinctive arc-shaped orange and blue marking behind its eye, this hawkfish displays variable coloration from orange-brown to pinkish. Like all hawkfish, it lacks a swim bladder and perches on coral heads, darting out to grab passing prey. Hardy and adaptable but will eat small ornamental shrimp and tiny fish.
Taxonomy
- Family: Cirrhitidae
- Genus: Paracirrhites
- Scientific name: Paracirrhites arcatus
- Origin: Indo-Pacific
Habitat
Widely distributed across the Indo-Pacific from East Africa to the Hawaiian, Pitcairn and Easter Islands. Perches on coral heads, predominantly Pocillopora, on outer reef slopes at depths of 1-15 m, ambushing small fish and crustaceans. Easily recognised by the iridescent "arc" of red, blue and white around each eye.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 10-14 cm
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: semi-aggressive
- Swimming level: bottom
- Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Tangs, Large Wrasses, Angelfish
- Avoid with: Small Shrimp, Small Gobies, Other Hawkfish
Reef compatibility
Generally classified as reef-safe with caution: may opportunistically pick at small ornamental shrimps, sessile invertebrates or, in some individuals, polyps. Suitability depends on the specific reef stock.
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: egg-scatterer
- Breeding difficulty: advanced
Arc-Eye Hawkfish Breeding Guide
Overview
Paracirrhites arcatus is an Indo-Pacific hawkfish of the family Cirrhitidae. Like all hawkfish it lacks a swim bladder and perches on coral heads. Hawkfish are protogynous hermaphrodites and pelagic spawners, a reproductive mode that places the Arc-Eye Hawkfish outside the reach of home breeding.
Sex Change & Pairing
Hawkfish are protogynous hermaphrodites: individuals begin as females and some later transition to males, so a functional female will change into a male if the dominant male dies. Males are territorial and typically guard harems of a single male and several females, a social structure that complicates pairing in a tank.
Spawning Behavior
Hawkfish are pelagic spawners that release many tiny buoyant eggs which drift with ocean currents until hatching. The spawning pair ascends into the water column, and spawning occurs at night, at or near the surface, where the eggs are released and fertilized.
Why Home Breeding Is Not Feasible
The pelagic, ascending spawning behavior produces minute buoyant eggs and planktonic larvae adapted to dispersal in open water. Rearing such larvae requires plankton densities and water volumes a home aquarium cannot provide, so the Arc-Eye Hawkfish is not bred by home aquarists.