| Family: |
Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes) |
| Max. size: |
15 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 10 - 132 m |
| Distribution: |
Indo-West Pacific: East Africa south to the southeast coast of South Africa (Ref. 5469) and east to Tonga (Ref. 53797), north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia, southeastern Australia and northern New Zealand. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 16-17; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7. Body mottled light yellowish to orange-brown; juveniles orange-gold (Ref. 5469).
Description: Characterized by having lower six pectoral rays unbranched; presence of palatine teeth; greatest depth of body 2.7-2.8 in SL; strongly lunate caudal fin (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Found on steep slopes and around small coral heads exposed to currents (Ref. 9710). Hovers several meters above the bottom and feeds mainly on pelagic crustaceans, copepods, and other animals of the plankton. Also found around sponges (Ref 90102). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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