Skip to main content
Arc-eye Hawkfish© Rickard Zerpe / CC BY 2.0

Arc-eye Hawkfish

The Arc-eye Hawkfish is a striking marine fish known for the blue-and-orange arc-shaped marking behind its eyes, paired with a white stripe along the rear half of its body. It likes to perch on branching corals, waiting patiently to ambush passing prey. Hardy and adaptable, it's often considered a good choice for those just starting out in marine fishkeeping. That said, it has a strong territorial streak and can be aggressive toward similarly sized fish, and its instinct to hunt small shrimp, crabs, and fish means tankmates need to be chosen carefully in a reef setup. Since it grows to around 20 cm at full size, it's worth planning tank space with its adult size in mind.

View Arc-eye Hawkfish encyclopedia →
Limited Time Offer

0% commission on your first sales!Register by September 30, 2026 and your first 2 sales are commission-free!

Breeder Wanted!

List on BreederDirect and sell directly to customers nationwide!

Free registrationNo monthly feesCommission on sales only
Register Now for Free

BreederDirect's 6 Transparency Promises

Every Marine Fish listing shows Breeder's full disclosure. No wild-caught. Captive-bred priority, tank size guidance, temperament details—transparent aquaculture.

  • Captive-bred
  • WYSIWYG
  • Reef-safe
  • Care Info Included
  • Origin Disclosed
  • Temperament Listed
Browse all 175 breeds

Recommended Tank Size

0 items

Verified breeders wanted for Marine Fish

Breeders are signing up now ahead of launch. Subscribe to be notified when new listings go live.

Getting alerts is free with a member account. When new listings match your saved search, we'll notify you by email and in-app.

Browse other categories

Verified breeders (preview)

Are you raising marine fish?

Register as a breeder and connect with buyers directly.

Apply as a breeder

About Arc-eye Hawkfish

The Arc-eye Hawkfish is a hardy, beginner-friendly marine fish with striking blue-orange eye markings. It is territorial and preys on small shrimp and fish, so reef tankmates should be chosen with care.

7 things to know before welcoming a Arc-eye Hawkfish

  1. 1Strongly Territorial

    The Arc-eye Hawkfish tends to stake out its own patch of the tank and can chase off fish added later, especially near its favorite perch. When introducing tankmates, make sure there is enough space and enough hiding spots to go around.

  2. 2Risk to Shrimp and Small Fish

    It reacts quickly to movement and will prey on small shrimp, crabs, and small fish. If keeping invertebrates in a reef tank, avoid adding anything small enough to become a meal.

  3. 3Needs a Perching Spot

    In the wild, it perches on branching coral to ambush passing prey. Providing live rock or branching coral in the tank gives it a natural spot to settle and feel secure.

  4. 4Tight-Fitting Lid Needed

    Hawkfish are active swimmers and can leap out of the water when startled. Use a well-fitted tank lid to prevent accidental jumping incidents.

  5. 5Hardy and Beginner-Friendly

    This species tolerates changing conditions reasonably well, making it approachable even for those new to marine fishkeeping. Even so, avoid sudden swings in water quality and keep up with regular water changes.

  6. 6Grows to About 20 cm

    Adults reach roughly 20 cm in length. Plan your tank size around this eventual size so the fish doesn't outgrow its home.

  7. 7Compatibility With Its Own Kind

    Because of its territorial nature, keeping multiple Arc-eye Hawkfish together often leads to conflict. If you want to house more than one, provide a spacious tank with plenty of hiding places.

Frequently asked questions about Arc-eye Hawkfish

Q.Is the Arc-eye Hawkfish suitable for beginners?
A.Yes, it is considered hardy and reasonably tolerant of changing conditions, making it a good option for those new to marine fishkeeping. That said, it is territorial and predatory, so choose tankmates carefully.
Q.Can it live with other fish or shrimp?
A.It generally does fine with similarly sized, active fish, but small shrimp and small fish are at risk of being preyed upon. If keeping it in a reef tank with invertebrates, check size compatibility closely.
Q.Does it jump out of the tank?
A.Hawkfish are active and can leap out of the water when startled. A tight-fitting lid helps prevent this.
Q.How large does it grow?
A.Adults reach roughly 20 cm in length. Plan for a tank size that accommodates this eventual size.
Q.Is the Arc-eye Hawkfish subject to CITES?
A.The Arc-eye Hawkfish is not subject to CITES. There is no need for concern regarding international trade restrictions for this species.

Useful tools for Arc-eye Hawkfish care

💧Aquarium Volume CalculatorCalculate water volume, weight, and heater wattage from tank dimensions🧪Water Quality CheckerFind compatible fish, shrimp, plants & corals based on pH, temperature & hardness🍽️Feeding GuideCheck feeding frequency, portion sizes & supplements by species and growth stage🤝Compatibility CheckerCheck compatibility between two species on a 5-level scale📊Fish Compatibility MatrixCheck fish compatibility at a glance with our matrix chart🔄Nitrogen Cycle GuideAuto-calculate bacteria colonization timeline for new tank cycling🗓️Seasonal Care CalendarMonthly care events and seasonal management tips at a glance🚿Water Change CalculatorAuto-calculate optimal water change frequency and volume by tank size and fish count🐠Stocking CalculatorCalculate max fish capacity for your tank size with overstocking alerts🏞️Tank Layout PlannerGet substrate, plant & hardscape suggestions based on tank size and style🧮Care Cost SimulatorEstimate initial, monthly & annual costs by category, care level and quantity⚖️Species Comparison ToolCompare two species side by side: care difficulty, size, lifespan & temperature🎯Pet Match DiagnosticAnswer 7 questions to find your top 3 perfect pets🚚Transport Safety CheckerCheck transport safety score and precautions by category, season, method and distance⏱️Quarantine & Acclimation TimerManage quarantine periods and acclimation steps with countdown timers. Includes recommended durations by species

Learn more about Arc-eye Hawkfish in the encyclopedia

View Arc-eye Hawkfish encyclopedia entry →

Care difficulty, lifespan, size and diet — all basics covered.

More in this category

Can't find the one you're looking for?

Post your wishes for free and breeders with matching animals will contact you with introductions.