Redspotted Hawkfish

The Redspotted Hawkfish is an attractive Caribbean species featuring a white to pale body adorned with prominent red to reddish-brown spots scattered across the head, body, and fins. A series of darker vertical bands may also be visible along the flanks. This charming small hawkfish is one of the few hawkfish species available from the Western Atlantic, making it a distinctive alternative to the more commonly seen Indo-Pacific hawkfish.

In the aquarium, the Redspotted Hawkfish exhibits the classic hawkfish behavior of perching on elevated surfaces and surveying its domain. It is a bold, curious fish that quickly becomes comfortable in captivity and eagerly approaches the front of the tank during feeding time. Its small size and hardy constitution make it well-suited for nano reef systems and smaller marine aquariums.

While generally considered a beginner-friendly species, the Redspotted Hawkfish should be housed with caution around ornamental shrimp and very small invertebrates, as it is an opportunistic micro-predator. It is semi-aggressive and may harass timid tankmates in confined quarters. In a suitably sized aquarium with appropriate companions, this Caribbean gem provides years of engaging behavior and eye-catching coloration.