Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus) on Black Coral (Antipatharia), Sea of Cortez, Mexico

By April 30, 2020May 2nd, 2020Mexico, Sea of Cortez, Underwater Photography

The last time I was diving in the Sea of Cortez, I decided to try to photograph the longbill hawkfish in black coral. My friend Mike took us to dive on his namesake reef, a secret spot north of La Paz with reefs that are spectacularly lush and covered with life, a consequence of the large tidal currents that pass over the area twice a day.  The area has many large bushes of black coral (Antipatharia) upon which the small but brilliantly-colored hawkfish can be found perching.  Mike’s Reef is a difficult spot to anchor due to its near-constant currents but few have as much experience boating in that area and he soon dialed it in and dropped us on the reef close to slack tide.  The currents were still strong but I tucked into a protected area and soon found a perfect patch of black coral with several hawkfish on it. I spent the dive getting to know these cute little fish and making a few good photos at the same time.

Longnose hawkfish on black coral, underwater, Sea of Cortez, Baja California, Oxycirrhites typus, Antipatharia

Longnose hawkfish on black coral, underwater, Sea of Cortez, Baja California
Image ID: 33616
Species: Longnose Hawkfish, Black Coral, Oxycirrhites typus, Antipatharia
Location: Baja California, Mexico

Black coral on Healthy Coral Reef, Antipatharia, Sea of Cortez, Antipatharia

Black coral on Healthy Coral Reef, Antipatharia, Sea of Cortez
Image ID: 33502
Species: Black Coral, Antipatharia
Location: Baja California, Mexico

Black coral on Healthy Coral Reef, Antipatharia, Sea of Cortez, Antipatharia

Black coral on Healthy Coral Reef, Antipatharia, Sea of Cortez
Image ID: 33503
Species: Black Coral, Antipatharia
Location: Baja California, Mexico

Longnose Hawkfish on Black Coral, Oxycirrhites typus, Oxycirrhites typus, Antipatharia, Isla San Diego, Baja California, Mexico

Longnose Hawkfish on Black Coral, Oxycirrhites typus
Image ID: 33570
Species: Longnose Hawkfish, Black Coral, Oxycirrhites typus, Antipatharia
Location: Isla San Diego, Baja California, Mexico

The photos above were made not far from this place:

Isla San Diego and Coral Reef, reef extends from Isla San Diego to Isla San Jose, aerial photo, Sea of Cortez, Baja California

Isla San Diego and Coral Reef, reef extends from Isla San Diego to Isla San Jose, aerial photo, Sea of Cortez, Baja California
Image ID: 33601
Location: Isla San Diego, Baja California, Mexico

About Phil Colla

I am a natural history photographer. I enjoy making compelling images in the ocean, on land, and in the air. I have maintained the Natural History Photography blog since 2005 and my searchable Natural History Photography Library since 1997. Here are some tear sheets and behind the scenes views. Thanks for looking!