Falco hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cirrhitichthys falco
- Common name
- Falco hawkfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Cirrhitidae
- Genus
- Cirrhitichthys
- Size
- 5–7 cm
- Depth
- 4–46 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, cryptic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea
Description
Cirrhitichthys falco reaches 7 cm. Small hawkfish (Cirrhitidae, sea hawk) Indo-Pacific with pink-white body with 5-6 large red-brown saddles or spots on back and flanks, head with complex red-pink and white patterns. Lives from 4 to 46 m on coral reefs of tropical Indo-Pacific (Red Sea to central Pacific). Characteristic Cirrhitidae behavior: no swim bladder, perches motionless on coralligenous, gorgonians and hard corals from where it stalks prey (hawk-like behavior). Accessible macro photo subject, curious and photogenic.
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Falco hawkfish?
- Falco hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco) reaches 5–7 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Falco hawkfish?
- Falco hawkfish is found between 4–46 m deep.
- Is the Falco hawkfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Falco hawkfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Falco hawkfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea.
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 218854)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2375162)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia