Animal Species:Ringeye Hawkfish, Paracirrhites arcatus (Cuvier, 1829)

The Ringeye Hawkfish is recognisable by a horseshoe-shaped mark behind the eye that consists of three thin lines. The species occurs on coral reefs in tropical marine waters.

Ringeye Hawkfish at Bougainville Reef

Ringeye Hawkfish at Bougainville Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Arc-eye Hawkfish

Identification

The Ringeye Hawkfish has a horseshoe-shaped mark behind the eye that consists of three thin lines. There are three orange bands on a light blue area on the operculum. A white to pink stripe is often present along the lateral line on the rear of the fish. Each dorsal fin spine is tipped with a cirrus.

Size range

The species grows to 14 cm in length.

Distribution

The Ringeye Hawkfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from central to north-western Western Australia and from the entire length of the Great Barrier Reef south to northern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information.  Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Paracirrhites arcatus

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Ringeye Hawkfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The species is usually found on coral reefs.

Classification

Species:
arcatus
Genus:
Paracirrhites
Family:
Cirrhitidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Ringeye Hawkfish, Paracirrhites arcatus, new tag..., Cirrhitidae, pink, orange, blue, white, 'normal fish', 10 cm - 30 cm, striped or bands, coral reef, marine, adult,