| Family: |
Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes) |
| Max. size: |
10 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 40 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to East London, South Africa (Ref. 5469) and east to the Marquesan Islands, north to the Mariana Islands, south to New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands (Ref. 9289). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Highly variable in color from pale with grey to black blotches to pink with bright red blotches (Ref. 48636). Pale with horizontal rows of subquadrate dark brown spots; a row of smaller spots on LL between larger spots; small dark brown spots on head (Ref. 5469).
Description: Characterized by having coarsely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; presence of palatine teeth; greatest depth of body 2.9-3.4 in SL (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Inhabit areas of rich coral growth and clear water of lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs from below the surge zone to depths of at least 40 m. They rest on, in, or beneath hard or soft corals. Feed on crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 37955). Males are territorial and haremic (Ref. 37816). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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