Redspotted hawkfish

Description:

Up to 9,5 cm in size. Hawkfishes have large heads with thick, somewhat elongated bodies. Their dorsal fins are merged, with the first consisting of 10 connected spines. White interspaces between first four dark bars bisected by narrow yellowish brown bars. Because of their large, skinless pectoral fins, hawkfishes are able to perch upon fire corals without incurring harm. Afforded some degree of protection by their living perches, hawkfishes seek the high ground of the reef, where they warily survey their surroundings like hawks. This is said to have inspired their common name.

Habitat:

Inside the wreck La Machaca, Bonaire.