Dwarf Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963

Scientific name: Cirrhitichthys falco
Alternative name/s:
Coral Hawkfish, Falcon Hawkfish
  • Author(s)
    Mark McGrouther
  • Updated
    26/02/21
  • Read time
    2 minutes
Dwarf Hawkfish Click to enlarge image
A Dwarf Hawkfish at a depth of 10 m, Inside Mantis Reef, Wreck Bay, far northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, November 2001. Image: Erik Schlögl
© 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.

Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia

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.