Blackside Hawkfishes, like others of its kin, are predators that hang out waiting for prey to pass by. I have often seen the waiting part, but never seen one go after anything.
Also, according to my fish book, ‘Hawkfishes live in haremic social groups consisting of a male and several females. When the male dies, the dominant female changes sex and takes his place.’ Which begs the question, when is Trump going to do something about these kinds of scandalous activities?
I spotted this small Pacific Day Octopus on the move and it quickly headed for a spot to settle down. The place it chose was just below a head of coral, which was occupied by an Arc-Eye Hawkfish. The hawkfish didn’t move, but didn’t look happy with its new neighbor.
A cheerful-looking Saddle Wrasse swims over a patch of coral. One side of the coral head has long since died, but the other looks quite healthy and hosts an Arc-eye Hawkfish.
Stocky Hawkfish markings appear symmetrical, but aren’t quite. However, they do an excellent job of helping the fish to blend in as it waits, motionless, to snag passing prey. This fish was more patient than most. There was a swell running and it kept swishing me back and forth in front of the stoic fish, which was sheltered from the waves, and also wedged in with its pectoral fins.
Posted for Becky’s Squares: Geometric. See more responses here.
This month’s Sunday Stills color challenge is ‘Auburn or Brown.’ See more responses here. Captions on the photos.
A Stocky Hawkfish waits in a crack with a Rock-Boring Urchin, as shifting light plays across the water.
These are a couple of fish that spend a good deal of their time sitting, stationary, on coral or rocks. The similarity ends there.
The hawkfish is a predator, waiting for small fish or crustaceans to come within range. The blenny feeds solely on living coral. And while this blenny is probably an adult at about 6 inches long, the hawkfish can grow to twice that size.
How many Arc-eye Hawkfishes can you fit in a head of Cauliflower Coral? I count six here, though there could be more, and who knows what else besides. Corals like this offer vital shelter for small fish and other creatures seeking to avoid the many predators out hunting.
Graham's Island 