Animal Species:Dwarf Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963

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.

Dwarf Hawkfish at Mantis Reef

Dwarf Hawkfish at Mantis Reef
Erik Schlögl © Erik Schlögl

Alternative Name/s

Coral Hawkfish, Falcon Hawkfish

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.

Size range

The Dwarf Hawkfish grows to 7 cm in length.

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.

Cirrhitichthys falco

Distribution by collection data

Ozcam map of Dwarf Hawkfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:
falco
Genus:
Cirrhitichthys
Family:
Cirrhitidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Fishes, Ichthyology, Dwarf Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys falco, Cirrhitidae, white, red, brown, odd shaped, < 10 cm, blotches/mottled, coral reef, rocky reef, marine, adult,