Arc Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites Arcatus)
Also Known As: Ringeye Hawkfish, Horseshoe Hawkfish
Compatibility and Behavior
The Arc Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites arcatus) wears its signature on its face: a distinctive horseshoe-shaped marking behind each eye, traced in orange-red, blue, and darker tones, which is exactly where the Ringeye and Horseshoe nicknames come from. The body ranges from pinkish-tan to orange-brown, often with a broad white stripe along the rear flanks, and small tassels on the dorsal spines plus sturdy pectoral fins complete the classic perching profile. Like all hawkfish it doesn’t cruise continuously but rests on an elevated perch, surveying the tank before darting out to grab food. It’s generally coral safe, though repeated perching may irritate delicate colonies, and it lands at reef safe with caution, since ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and tiny fish may be viewed as prey. Appropriately sized tangs, dwarf angels, and robust wrasses make suitable companions, while timid gobies and firefish may face harassment. Keep one hawkfish per tank, and consider adding it later in the stocking order to reduce territorial disputes.
Aquarium Requirements
An established tank of 50 gallons or larger suits a single specimen. Arrange stable live rock into elevated ledges, sheltered caves, and crevices, providing several lookout points and retreats rather than one dominant perch, and leave enough open space for its short swimming bursts, with moderate circulation and effective filtration. Live coral isn’t required, so this species works equally well in a carefully stocked FOWLR setup or a selected reef display. Offer appropriately sized food near its favored perches, and install a secure, gap-free lid, since a startled hawkfish may jump.
Specifications
Approximate Size: 1.5–2.5"
Diet: Carnivore; mysis shrimp, chopped krill, marine seafood, and suitable carnivore pellets, fed two small meals daily
Origin: Tropical Indo-Pacific
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: With caution
Temperament: Semi-aggressive to aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Special Considerations: Coral safe but reef safe with caution, as it may eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and very small fish. May jump, so a secure, gap-free lid is recommended.
Pairs well with
Arc Eye Hawkfish (Paracirrhites Arcatus)
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!
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Shipping Information
- Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday. Orders will be shipped overnight on the soonest possible shipping day, unless you request to hold the order for up to one business day.
- Your order will ship same-day if placed before 12:30 PM PST on a shipping day.
- Orders placed after 12:30 PM PST will ship on the next shipping day.
- Stay tuned to our Announcement Bar (black bar at the top of every page) for important shipping announcements...we may reach our max limit of orders we can ship on Mondays.
- If it is very hot, very cold, or if you live in a rural area, ship to a UPS Access Point to save your livestock from hours of exposure to the elements. Click here to see how.
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FAQ’s
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if UPS is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a UPS Access Point, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.
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Contact Us
Send us an email at sales@reefbeauties.com and we will get back to you shortly.
We do not offer phone calls. We handle our inquiries with timely emails to ensure a qualified and high-quality response, to have all conversations on record, and to avoid miscommunications that can occur over the phone.
Free shipping on orders over $199!
FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
When will you ship my order?
We will ship on the soonest possible shipping day. Our shipping days are Monday-Thursday, and we ship same-day if the order is placed before 12:30 PM PST (unless announced otherwise). For example, if ordering at 1 PM on Thursday, your order will ship the following Monday.
Can you hold my order until next week?
Unfortunately not. We can hold items for up to one business day before shipping. We restock weekly, so chances are good we will receive more by next week!
When is the best time to order?
Saturdays and Sundays are the absolute best time to order, followed by Wednesday evenings. The closer you order to an inventory update, the better the available inventory.
What happens if something I ordered is unavailable?
We will email you to request a substitution. If you would like your original order, chances are good that it will be available to ship within the week (unless it is a very rare item).
Can I modify my order once it has been placed?
This is possible, but not guaranteed. Please email us if you need to modify your order or shipping address, and we will gladly make the changes for you, or let you know if it is too late.
What should I do if FedEx is unreliable in my area?
We recommend shipping to a FedEx Ship Center, as packages get delivered there first before trucks go on residential deliveries. Click here to see how.
What salinity do you ship at?
Salinity for fish is 1.018-9. Salinity for inverts is 1.024-5.