Blotched hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aprinus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cirrhitichthys aprinus
- Common name
- Blotched hawkfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Cirrhitidae
- Genus
- Cirrhitichthys
- Size
- 8–12 cm
- Depth
- 5–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef, rocky-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, cryptic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific
Description
Cirrhitichthys aprinus reaches 12 cm. Small Indo-West Pacific hawkfish (Indonesia, Philippines, Australia) with brown-pink body with 6-7 dark red-brown spots and numerous small orange-red ocellate spots. Lives from 5 to 40 m on coral and rocky reefs rich in gorgonians and sponges. Typical hawkfish behavior. More discreet than C. oxycephalus (batch 12) and C. falco. Macro photo subject for Cirrhitidae enthusiasts.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Blotched hawkfish?
- Blotched hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aprinus) reaches 8–12 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Blotched hawkfish?
- Blotched hawkfish is found between 5–40 m deep.
- Is the Blotched hawkfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Blotched hawkfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Blotched hawkfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific.
Other species in the genus Cirrhitichthys
Other species in the family Cirrhitidae
- Neocirrhites armatus - Flame hawkfish
- Cirrhitus rivulatus - Giant hawkfish
- Oxycirrhites typus - Longnose hawkfish
- Paracirrhites forsteri - Blackside hawkfish
- Cirrhitops fasciatus - Banded Hawkfish
- Paracirrhites arcatus - Arced Hawkfish
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 218855)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2375156)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia