Giant Hawkfish

Photo: Liam Ragan · CC BY-NC

The giant hawkfish — the largest hawkfish species in the Eastern Pacific — is a signature predator of El Tejoncito's rocky wall, perching motionless on sea fans and coral heads at 12 to 25 m while waiting to ambush small fish and crustaceans. Adults reach 60 cm and are boldly patterned in dark brown with pale spots, making them easy to find once a diver learns to scan structure methodically. They are highly territorial and will return to the same perch repeatedly across multiple dives.