Supposed to be yellow?

[ShawnSaucier]

So I purchased a “ yellow” hawkfish a few days ago, he was pale at the store and I assumed he would color up back to the famous canary yellow. I’m not complaining but it’s turning into a rainbow over the last couple of days. Is this common?

 

[Isopod80]

Looks like you have an arc-eye hawkfish not a yellow hawkfish. Different species.

 

[JPM San Diego]

It appears you have an arc eye hawkfish. They are common in Hawaii. Probable other locals as well.
Picture taken off the internet. Search was Hawaiian Hawkfish Images

 

[JPM San Diego]

Here is a yellow hawkfish. Note the pattern near the eye is not the same and no blush along the flanks

 

[reefz]

I think that’s an arc eye

 

[ShawnSaucier]

I don’t think it’s an arc eye, the markings on the gills are missing and around the eyes are different. I found this and I think this is exactly what it is….

 

[Chrisv.]

I don’t think it’s an arc eye, the markings on the gills are missing and around the eyes are different. I found this and I think this is exactly what it is….

Isn't the tail supposed to be red?

 

[Morphinel]

Looks like an arc eye to me. How much did you pay for it?

 

[ShawnSaucier]

Looks like an arc eye to me. How much did you pay for it?

$200, was at a store labeled Yellow Hawk, and the colors were muted. Been in copper for weeks and in one of the 10g displays. Only been in my system about 72hrs, started really coloring up yesterday, just not yellow. I’m 90% sure it’s not an Arc Eye. As close as it is in looks there are a few consistent markings to lead to the Flame Tail.

https://reefs.com/2016/04/20/polynesian-hawkfish-mystery-paracirrhites-xanthus-p-nisus-p-bicolor/

 

[Chrisv.]

$200

This was the too good to be true yellow, right?

 

[ShawnSaucier]

This was the too good to be true yellow, right?

It was listed for $575 for almost 3 months. I saw what they paid from wholesaler and added $40 for basically quarantining the fish.

 

[jdiefenbaugh]

I have never sen P. nisus before, but a quick google search says they change phenotype, and are probably the same species. Also, wholesalers mislabel fish all the time, IME. I think you got a good deal, on a uncommon fish, either way.

https://reefs.com/2016/04/20/polynesian-hawkfish-mystery-paracirrhites-xanthus-p-nisus-p-bicolor/

 

[Tamberav]

Well then.. seems they are the same fish. Perhaps different sexes.

https://reefs.com/2016/04/20/polynesian-hawkfish-mystery-paracirrhites-xanthus-p-nisus-p-bicolor/

 

[Chrisv.]

Well then.. seems they are the same fish. Perhaps different sexes.

https://reefs.com/2016/04/20/polynesian-hawkfish-mystery-paracirrhites-xanthus-p-nisus-p-bicolor/

Well that's a super interesting article. Sounds like OP needs a second one!