ANIMAL SPECIES:Blotched Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys aprinus (Cuvier, 1829)
The Blotched Hawkfish occurs in tropical and some warm temperate marine waters. Found in and around sponges on rocky reefs and shallow estuaries.
Identification
The Blotched Hawkfish has large, irregular shaped blotches on the sides of the body. There is a distinct spot on the operculum behind the eye and cirri on the tips of the dorsal spines.
Size range
The species grows to 12 cm in length.Distribution
The Blotched Hawkfish occurs in tropical and some warm temperate marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.
In Australia it is recorded from the southern to central coasts of Western Australia and from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.
Distribution by collection data
Biomaps map of Blotched Hawkfish specimens in the Australian Museum collection.
Behaviour and adaptations
Other behaviours and adaptations
Like most of the hawkfishes, this species is often observed motionless on the bottom, propped up on its thickened lower pectoral fin rays.
Classification
- Species:
- aprinus
- Genus:
- Cirrhitichthys
- Family:
- Cirrhitidae
- Class:
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum:
- Vertebrata
- Phylum:
- Chordata
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
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A Blotched Hawkfish at Port Hacking View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
A Blotched Hawkfish at Port Stephens View full size
David & Leanne Atkinson
© David & Leanne Atkinson
A juvenile Blotched Hawkfish at Camp Cove View full size
Erik Schlögl
© Erik Schlögl
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