Fish Identification Photos: Clown Hawkfish, Giant Hawkfish, Chino Mero, Cirrhitus rivulatus: The Clown Hawkfish has unique markings, resembling oriental inscriptions, that are edged in blue and broken into vertical patterns on an olive colored body. The Clown Hawkfish has a series of bands on the head radiating from the eye.

This coloration pattern makes the Clown Hawkfish a very easy species to identify. It is also characterized by its massive blunt head and large pectoral fins.

The Clown Hawkfish is the largest of a group of several hawkfishes comprising the Cirrhitidae Family. The Hawkfishes are sedentary predatory fishes that have been named by their tendency to perch on coral heads or boulders watching like hawks for their prey.

They all have a fringe of cirri on the hind edge of the anterior nostrils, cirri projecting from the membranes near the tips of the dorsal spines, and they have thickened lower pectoral fin rays. They are voracious predators feeding on fishes and crustaceans. Globally, 32 species have been identified of which 3 live in the Sea of Cortez.

The Clown Hawkfish is quite abundant, reaching 20 inches in length and up to 7 pounds. The Clown Hawkfish can be found over rocky reefs in the surge zone at depths up to 100 feet in the water column.

In Mexico, the Clown Hawkfish is not found along the Pacific Coast of the Baja California peninsula, but is present throughout the Sea of Cortez, along the coast of the mainland south to Guatemala, and around all oceanic islands. The Clown Hawkfish is considered an excellent food fish.

Clown Hawkfish, Giant Hawkfish, Chino Mero, Cirrhitus rivulatus: Caught from shore in the first hour of daylight in May 2003, in 77-degree water, outside the breaker line in 20 to 30-foot deep water utilizing a 15-pound test fish finder rig, 1.5-ounce barrel sinker, swivel, 3 feet of 15-pound test, and Mustad 92553 hooks, size #4, on cut squid at Km. 21 (Cabo Real) between Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Size approximately 15 inches and four pounds, and was very stubborn, diving between rocks, which required long periods of waiting before the application of more pressure to finally get him beached. Viewed by locals as a component of soup. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Clown Hawkfish, Giant Hawkfish, Chino Mero, Cirrhitus rivulatus: A juvenile collected from a tidal pool. Juveniles are reported to be quite secretive and to be rarely seen exposed. Photo and description courtesy John Snow. Clown Hawkfish, Giant Hawkfish, Chino Mero, Cirrhitus rivulatus: Caught at San Jose del Cabo, Baja California Sur, Mexico, early September 2003. Description and photo courtesy John Snow. Clown Hawkfish, Giant Hawkfish, Chino Mero, Cirrhitus rivulatus: Caught at Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Photo courtesy Jeff Klassen.