Home · Cirrhitidae · Bicolor hawkfish
Bicolor hawkfish (Paracirrhites bicolor) — Cirrhitidae

Bicolor hawkfish

Paracirrhites bicolor
Family: Cirrhitidae

The Bicolor hawkfish (Paracirrhites bicolor) is a saltwater fish of the family Cirrhitidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–30.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Caledonia, Caroline I.

Want the complete picture on the Bicolor hawkfish?

Get the app

Description

The bicolor hawkfish is a hawkfish (Cirrhitidae) from reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a stocky body that is distinctly two-toned: the front dark, the rear paler. With thickened, undivided lower pectoral rays it perches motionless on coral heads and rock as if on legs; from that lookout it darts out at small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bicolor hawkfish?

The Bicolor hawkfish has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bicolor hawkfish live?

The Bicolor hawkfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: New Caledonia, Caroline I.

How big does the Bicolor hawkfish get?

The Bicolor hawkfish grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Bicolor hawkfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Bicolor hawkfish is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bicolor hawkfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bicolor hawkfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Bicolor hawkfish sourced
Scientific name
Paracirrhites bicolor
Family
Cirrhitidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15 inferred
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Caledonia, Caroline I. sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Paracirrhites

More from the family Cirrhitidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Bicolor hawkfish?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Bicolor hawkfish is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Bicolor hawkfish? Get the app