Giant hawkfish (Cirrhitus rivulatus), Huatulco, Mexico

As its name suggests, the giant hawkfish is the largest member of the hawkfish family, growing up to 60 cm/24 inches in length. They are seen regularly by divers around the Gulf of California where they are called “China Marino,” but have been identified as far south as the Galapagos Islands.

These fish are typically unfazed by diver activity and are known for their ability to prop themselves on their pectoral fins and even brace themselves against crashing waves in shallow rocky waters. They feed mainly on small fish and crustaceans and are currently categorized as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List. We photographed this giant hawkfish during a dive in Huatulco, Mexico. Read more in our post, Scuba Diving Huatulco, Mexico.