Introducing our April Fish of the Month, the Giant Hawkfish, Cirrhitus rivulatus!
Survey Regions: Giant Hawkfish are found throughout REEF's Tropical Eastern Pacific (TEP) survey region. Click here to see REEF database reports for this species in each region: TEP.
Size: As the largest members of the hawkfish family, they can grow up to 2 feet long!
Identifying Features: Giant Hawkfish are deep-bodied, with an olive to green undercolor. They are covered in an intricate "maze" of golden-brown markings with black margins narrowly surrounded by blue. They also have two pale (often white) diffuse spots at the back of the dorsal fin.
Fun Facts: Giant Hawkfish are found on rocky reefs, where they lie motionless or shelter among rocks. Juveniles live in shallow surge zones. They eat small fish and crustaceans like shrimps.
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned for our next Fish of the Month.
Photo by Carol Cox.