Coral hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus)

Scientific name: Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus Bleeker, 1855

The Coral hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus) is a marine fish of the family Cirrhitidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–28°C (75–82°F).

Coral hawkfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6. Highly variable in color from pale with grey to black blotches to pink with bright red blotches. 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.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
Family: Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 10.0
Depth range: 1–40 m (3–131 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 40 m, usually 10 - 25 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to East London, South Africa 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.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Aquarium: commercial