Blotched Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys aprinus (Cuvier, 1829)

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.

What does this mean?

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
Order:: Perciformes
Class:: Actinopterygii
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Phylum:: Chordata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

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.

Last Updated: 17 May 2010

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