Fish Index
Hawkfish and Dottybacks are fairly small, colourful fish with the largest species reaching som 22cm, though 10cm is more common. Species of both groups typically have small territories restricted to part of a coral block or around sponges.
If the reef structure is damaged, then the habitat for these species disappears, and the reef looses yet another facet of its richness.
Zwergbarsche, Büschelbarsche
Note: this seach is a little slow the first time run, but then is fast. It is private and not tracked!
Dottybacks can only be described as being full of character! They are shy and insatiably curious at the same time. They swim in out of holes and cracks in their revier, peeking cautiously round corners to see what is there. If a diver stays very still they will venture forward and try to stare the diver down, almost saying "go away, you're scaring my pray away"!
They are very colourful, and due to the way they breed, they tend to have restricted distribultions. Some species have many colour forms with restricted distributions, while others like Pseudochromis fuscus are even varioable in a single location. New species are found fairly often, and a number, like the Lubbockichthys in the first gallery image are awaiting description.
Hawkfish sit in a vantage position on a coral or sponge. Their eyes continuously move back and forth, and up and down looking for prey and danger.
The Longnose Hawkfish is a favourite of divers, It typically sits on sea fans or black coral on a branch giving it a good view, dashing out to snap up prey, and then returning to it's roost. If you see one of these in a sea fan, you can be certain that there are no pygmy sea-horses as they've all been eaten.