Coral hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
- Common name
- Coral hawkfish
- Category
- Fish
- Family
- Cirrhitidae
- Genus
- Cirrhitichthys
- Size
- 6–10 cm
- Depth
- 2–40 m
- IUCN status
- Least concern (LC)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- rocky-reef, coral-reef
- Behaviours
- solitary, cryptic
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern Pacific
Description
Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus reaches 10 cm. Small Cirrhitidae (hawkfish) with circumtropical distribution Indo-Pacific and Eastern Pacific. Pink-white to cream body covered with irregularly arranged red-orange spots (hence spotted), pointed snout (hence oxycephalus). Characteristic of Cirrhitidae: no swim bladder, perches motionless on gorgonians, sponges or high coralligenous from where it stalks prey (hence hawkfish, hawk-like behavior). Lives from 2 to 40 m on coral and rocky reefs. Iconic macro photo subject, colors change with host.
Photo of Coral hawkfish
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Coral hawkfish?
- Coral hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus) reaches 6–10 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Coral hawkfish?
- Coral hawkfish is found between 2–40 m deep.
- Is the Coral hawkfish dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Coral hawkfish?
- IUCN status: Least concern (LC).
- Where can you find the Coral hawkfish?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Caribbean, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Eastern 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 218853)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 2375154)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia