1) The Swallowtail hawkfish, Cyprinocirrhites polyactis

The Swallowtail hawkfish, Cyprinocirrhites polyactis (Bleeker, 1875) is an unusual hawkfish, as it  often swims well above the reef feeding on zooplankton.  Sometimes seen shoaling with goldies (Pseudanthias squamipinnis).  Note the lunate caudal fin, which is also unlike other cirrhitids.  Occurs in 10 to 132 m.  Indo-Pacific, ranging south to Alogoa Bay.  Attains 14 cm.

2) The Horseshoe hawkfish, Paracirrhites arcatus

The Horseshoe hawkfish, Paracirrhites arcatus (Cuvier, 1829) is unmistakable with the red and yellow “horseshoe” mark behind the eye and the white stripe along the rear two-thirds of the body.  Note also the three orange stripes on the pale blue margin of the gill cover.  Usually seen sitting on stony coral in depths of 5 to 50 m.  Indo-Pacific, extending south to Coffee Bay in the Transkei.   Attains 14 cm.

3) The Marbled hawkfish, Cirrhitus pinnulatus

The Marbled hawkfish, Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) has a distinctive pattern of black or dark reddish-brown spots and white blotches on a brown background.  Prefers shallow reef fronts or rocky shores exposed to wave action.  Feeds primarily on crabs, but will also take shrimps and other crustaceans, small fishes and echinoderms.   Indo-Pacific, from Red Sea to Port Alfred.

4) The Longnose hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus

The Longnose hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus Bleeker, 1857 is easily recognised from its greatly elongated snout and jaws and is usually seen perched in a black coral or some kind of gorgonian at depths below 30 m.  Recently found at Landers Reef, where this specimen was photographed by Dennis King.  Feeds on benthic and planktonic crustaceans.  Widely distributed from Red Sea and South Africa to Baja California on the west coast of Mexico.   Attains 13 cm.

Swallowtail hawkfish, Cyprinocirrhites polyactis

Horseshoe hawkfish, Paracirrhites arcatus

Marbled hawkfish, Cirrhitus pinnulatus

Longnose hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus

5) The Spotted hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus

The Spotted hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus (Bleeker, 1855) is another wide-ranging species whose distribution extends from Africa (south to East London) to the tropical Eastern Pacific.  Note the red edges round the black blotches, which distinguish C. oxycephalus from the very similar C. aprinus, a Pacific species that lacks the red edges.  C. oxycephalus is one of the smallest hawkfishes, attaining a mere 10 cm.

6) The Freckled hawkfish, Paracirrhites fosteri

The Freckled hawkfish, Paracirrhites fosteri (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) is easily recognised by the reddish brown freckles on the head and the distinctive pale yellow bands separated by a black zone at the rear of the body.  Generally seen perched on a branching coral.  Feeds mainly on small fishes and shrimps.  Indo-Pacific, south to Sodwana Bay.

Spotted hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus

7) Longsnout Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys guichenoti

Freckled hawkfish, Paracirrhites fosteri

This fish is the rare Longsnout Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys guichenoti. We collected it on our May Fish-Watch trip to Aliwal, and initially could not identify it. This specimen represents one of only 4 known to science. The other specimens have been collected in Mauritius and Reunion, and ours is the first to be collected in Southern Africa. Keep your eyes peeled for this fish - it is readily identified from the others by its unusually long snout - the only other cirrhitid (hawkfish) with a long snout is the Longnose hawkfish, Oxycirrhites typus, but its colour pattern is totally different from this fish (a network of red/orange lines on a whitish body) and its snout is even longer. We would really love more photos of this fish, so if you come across them, get snapping!

Longsnout Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys guichenoti

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Updated on: 03/08/2001