Giant Hawkfish: The Reef's Watchful Perch-Sitter

Watch the rocks long enough and you'll spot a stocky, marbled fish sitting still, propped on its fins like a hawk on a branch — the giant hawkfish, waiting and watching. Here's how to spot it near Jacó, plus five fun facts.

Giant Hawkfish · Cirrhitus rivulatus

How to spot the giant hawkfish near Jacó

Look on top of and against rocks and reef, where giant hawkfish perch rather than swim. They're thick-bodied with a beautiful marbled pattern of green, brown and blue lines. They sit propped on their stiff pectoral fins, and tend to hop from perch to perch rather than cruise.

5 fun facts about the giant hawkfish

• The biggest hawkfish. It's the largest member of the hawkfish family, reaching up to about two feet long.
• Perches like a hawk. It rests on its stiff pectoral-fin 'arms' on the rocks, which is how the whole hawkfish family got its name.
• An ambush sitter. From its perch it watches for small fish and crabs, then pounces in a quick dash.
• A marbled beauty. Its tangle of green, brown and blue lines is both camouflage and striking to see up close.
• Eastern Pacific native. It lives only along the Pacific coast of the Americas, a prized find on rocky reefs.

The giant hawkfish is just one of many characters down there. See the whole cast in our Snorkel Jaco fish directory, or read real guest photos and reviews on the Snorkel Jaco reviews.