| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 6 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2 - 3" - Indo-Pacific |
|
Email me | |
| Out of Stock | 2 - 3" - Central Pacific |
|
Email me | |
| Only 6 left | 2" or smaller - Indo-Pacific |
|
-
+
|
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
The Arc Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) is a perch-dwelling reef fish with tan-to-reddish coloration and a distinctive arc-shaped marking behind the eye. Instead of cruising the whole tank, it posts up on rock ledges or coral branches and makes quick, accurate dashes when food passes by.
What You’ll Observe:
- Picking a few favorite “lookout” perches and returning to them throughout the day
- Tracking activity outside the glass and pivoting in place to watch movement
- Short bursts of swimming between perches, especially around feeding time
- A confident feeding response once it recognizes your routine
Provide plenty of stable rockwork shelves and branch-like structure so it always has a comfortable perch with a clear view. Offer meaty marine foods (like mysis and chopped seafood) in small portions on a consistent schedule so it can eat from its preferred station.
Will it perch on SPS or LPS corals?
Yes—many choose branching structure as a lookout; providing several rock ledges often encourages it to use rock perches more consistently.
Can I keep it with cleaner shrimp or peppermint shrimp?
It’s common for hawkfish to view smaller shrimp as prey; if shrimp are a priority, hobbyists often have the best results with larger, well-established shrimp and plenty of hiding spots.
Does this fish jump?
It can launch from perches, especially during feeding excitement, so a snug lid or mesh top helps keep it contained.
Is it normal for it to sit still for long periods?
Yes—perching is its normal “resting and hunting” posture, and it will move in short bursts when something interests it.
How do I get it to accept frozen foods quickly?
Offer small meaty items (like mysis) near its perch with a baster or tongs, and keep feeding times consistent so it learns where food arrives.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.

