Other Common Names: Small Hawkfish.
Hawaiian Name: Pi-li-ko-'a
Scientific Name: Paracirrhites arcatus (Cuvier and Valenciennes, 1829)
Distribution: Hawai'i and throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Average Size: To about 5 inches.
Minimum Tank Size Suggested: 30 gallons.
Habitat: Bottom-dweller found at varied depths on the reef, but seem to be most abundant between 15 and 30 feet near sandy bottom areas with coral heads and stones present.
Identification: The body of this fish as an adult is a tan to reddish-tan color, with a vertical white band on its side from mid-body to the tail. There is an interesting U-shaped patch behind the eye bordered by three colors, thus giving it the name "Arc-Eye" Hawk. It also gets its name from the hunting trait that it uses similar to that of a hawk.
Characteristics & Compatibility: The Arc-Eye Hawkfish likes to sit on the bottom, perching itself on top of a coral head where it waits for unsuspecting prey. When threatened it will go down inside the coral head for protection. Usually anything it can fit into its mouth, it will eat. It generally gets along with most other fish, but does best in a community of animals that are able to hold their own against possible bullying. It may show aggression towards fish introduced after it has been put into the tank, particularly ones of larger size than itself. Be sure to keep this fish with those of size that are bigger than its mouth, otherwise it may eat them. Don't be fooled, this fish can open its mouth much wider than you may think!
Diet & Feeding: Being a predatory carnivore, this fish's main diet consists of small crustaceans, preferably shrimps and crabs, but will eat other small fish as well. In captivity it can be fed a daily diet of fresh or frozen meaty fares suitable for marine carnivores. This is a good choice for a reef system, because it does not eat sessile invertebrates. However, it may cause some minor physical damage.
This was an article I read by Saltwater Aquariums!
