Reeflings

Common name: Twospot hawkfish

Scientific name: Amblycirrhitus bimacula (Jenkins, 1903)

General information

The Two-spot Hawkfish, Amblycirrhitus bimacula, is a distinctive and charming fish species popular among marine aquarists. It is known for its unique appearance, featuring a white body with a red-brown saddle and two prominent dark spots on the dorsal fin. This species is relatively small, reaching a maximum length of around 9 centimeters, making it a suitable inhabitant for smaller marine aquariums.

Hawkfishes are known for their perching behavior, often found resting on coral branches or rockwork. The Two-spot Hawkfish is no exception and can frequently be observed surveying its surroundings from a high vantage point within the aquarium.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
114 liter (30 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
9 cm (3½″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Prefers overhangs for shelter
Diet
Carnivore Enjoys live and frozen foods
Social
Solo Can be territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Semi aggresive May nip at small fish or inverts
Captive bred
No
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Hawkfishes
    Cirrhitidae
  6. Genus
    Hawkfish
    Amblycirrhitus
  7. Species
    Twospot hawkfish
    Amblycirrhitus bimacula (Jenkins, 1903)
  8. Synonyms
    Amblycirrhites bimacula (Jenkins, 1903)
    Amblycirrhitus bimaculata (Jenkins, 1903)
    Cirrhitoidea bimacula Jenkins, 1903
    Cirrhitoidea bimaculata Jenkins, 1902
    Paracirrhites bimaculatus (Jenkins, 1903)

Care

Caring for the Two-spot Hawkfish requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock for perching and hiding. They are carnivorous and should be fed a varied diet of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. While generally peaceful, they can be territorial and may show aggression towards smaller or similarly shaped fish. It is advisable to introduce them last into the aquarium to minimize territorial disputes.

Reproduction

Reproduction in the Two-spot Hawkfish has not been widely documented in home aquariums. In the wild, they are known to be oviparous, with distinct pairing during breeding. Eggs are demersal and adhere to the substrate. In an aquarium setting, breeding success is rare and would require a dedicated breeding setup with controlled conditions.

Habitat

The Two-spot Hawkfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region, commonly found in coral-rich areas and lagoons. They prefer to inhabit areas with plenty of hiding spots and perches, typically at depths ranging from shallow waters to about 30 meters. Their natural distribution includes areas from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific, including the Hawaiian Islands and the Marquesas.