Redspotted Hawkfish

Redspotted Hawkfish

The Redspotted Hawkfish (Amblycirrhitus pinos) is a small, engaging Caribbean reef fish patterned with rows of red-brown spots over a pale body and a dark blotch near the tail. Like other hawkfish, it has no swim bladder and instead perches on rock and coral on its thickened pectoral fins, watching its surroundings with bright, alert eyes before pouncing on passing prey. Hardy, inexpensive and full of character, it is an easy and entertaining fish for a marine aquarium.

Its perching habit and curious nature make it a charming resident, though its appetite for small invertebrates needs to be considered.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Amblycirrhitus pinos is found in the Caribbean and western Atlantic, where it perches among coral and rock on reefs and rubble, darting out to seize small invertebrates and zooplankton. It stays close to its chosen perch, surveying the water for food.

In the aquarium it appreciates plenty of live rock and coral structure to perch on and shelter among.

Care Requirements

Maintain stable marine conditions: salinity around 1.024–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, and a temperature of about 24–26°C (75–79°F). Reaching only about 9 cm (3.5 inches), it suits a tank of around 75 litres (20 US gallons) or more with plenty of rockwork. A secure lid is sensible, as hawkfish can jump. It is hardy and adaptable, an easy fish for newcomers.

Diet & Feeding

The Redspotted Hawkfish is a carnivore, feeding on small crustaceans and other invertebrates in the wild. It eagerly accepts aquarium foods: offer a varied diet of frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and quality marine pellets. Feed once or twice a day; it is an easy, enthusiastic feeder.

Behavior & Temperament

This is a semi-aggressive fish, generally peaceful but bold, that may harass much smaller or more timid tankmates and will hunt small invertebrates. It is best kept singly and added to a community of similarly sized fish. It spends its day perched, surveying the tank, then darting out to feed.

Tank Mates

Pair it with robust tankmates of similar size — dottybacks, hardy wrasses, tangs, clownfish and similar — rather than tiny, timid fish it might intimidate. It is coral-safe but not invertebrate-safe: it will eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs and other small mobile invertebrates, so keep it only in reefs without prized small invertebrates.

Breeding

Amblycirrhitus pinos is a pelagic spawner and is not commonly bred in the home aquarium, so trade specimens are wild-collected. Hawkfish are protogynous hermaphrodites, with a dominant fish able to become male.

Common Health Issues

The Redspotted Hawkfish is hardy but, like all marine fish, can be affected by marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) and marine velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum), particularly when stressed. Quarantine new arrivals, keep water quality stable, and secure the lid against jumping. Mindful of its appetite for small invertebrates, it is otherwise an easy, hardy and characterful fish for a marine aquarium.