Dwarf Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963
Coral Hawkfish, Falcon Hawkfish
Click to enlarge image
© Erik Schlögl
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Cirrhitichthys
- Species
- falco
- Family
- Cirrhitidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- The Dwarf Hawkfish grows to 7 cm in length.
Introduction
The Dwarf Hawkfish is a small species that is primarily found in tropical marine waters. It has red-brown spots on the body and a tuft of cirri near the tip of each dorsal fin spine.
Identification
The Dwarf Hawkfish is whitish with red-brown spots on the body that form diagonal bands. There are two thin lines extending ventrally from the eye. A tuft of cirri is present near the tip of each dorsal fin spine.
Distribution
It occurs in tropical marine waters of the Western Pacific. In Australia it is recorded from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland south to the central coast of New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
References
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- 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.
