Paracirrhites arcatus (Cuvier, 1829)
Arc-eye hawkfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  20 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 91 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Line and MangarĂ©va islands, north to southern Japan, south to Australia and Rapa.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Occurs in a variety of color morphs, but always has a distinctive ring extending around and behind the eye (Ref. 37816, 48636). Description: Characterized by brown color; presence of orange and black arc-shaped mark behind eye; lower edge of gill cover with trio of orange dashes; upper side of body with broad white strip; unbranched upper two and lower 6-7 pectoral rays; absence of palatine teeth; smooth posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.4-2.6 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occur in lagoon and seaward reefs from 1 to at least 33 m, on heads of small branching corals, e.g. Stylophora, Pocillopora, Acropora (Ref. 9710). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feed mainly on shrimps, small fishes, crabs, and other crustaceans (Ref. 2334). Solitary (Ref 90102). Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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