Species profile—Cirrhitichthys falco (dwarf hawkfish)

Classification

Animalia ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/?kingdom=animals ) (animals) → Actinopterygii ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/?kingdom=animals&class=actinopterygii ) (ray-finned fishes) → Cirrhitidae ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/?kingdom=animals&class=actinopterygii&family=cirrhitidae ) (hawkfishes) → Cirrhitichthys falco (dwarf hawkfish)

Sighting data

Download
KML ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getsurveysbyspecies&taxonid=32109&f=kml ) | CSV ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getsurveysbyspecies&taxonid=32109&f=csv ) | GeoJson ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getsurveysbyspecies&taxonid=32109 )

Species details

Kingdom
Animalia ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/?kingdom=animals&class=actinopterygii ) (animals)
Class
Actinopterygii ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/?kingdom=animals&class=actinopterygii ) (ray-finned fishes)
Family
Cirrhitidae ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species-search/?kingdom=animals&class=actinopterygii&family=cirrhitidae ) (hawkfishes)
Scientific name
Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963
Common name
dwarf hawkfish
WildNet taxon ID
32109
Alternate name(s)
coral hawkfish
falcon hawkfish
Conservation significant
No
Wetland status
Wetland Dependant Species ( https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ecology/components/biota/fauna/fauna-indicator-species/ )
Endemicity
Native
Pest status
Nil
Description
The dwarf hawkfish has a whitish body with red spots that form diagonal bands. There are two thin red lines extending downward from the eye. Yellow tufts of small, thin appendages (cirri) are present near the tip of each dorsal fin spine, along the backbone. The species grows to 7cm in length.
Distribution
The species occurs in tropical marine waters of the western Pacific. In Australia, it is found from the northern Great Barrier Reef, Queensland to the central coast of New South Wales, including Elizabeth Reef, Tasman Sea.
Distributional limits
0, 0
0, 0
Species environment
Marine
Habitat
The dwarf hawkfish inhabits coral reefs of inshore waters to depths of about 45m.
Behaviour
Dwarf hawkfish occur either solitary or in pairs. Hawkfish are generally observed perched on their thickened pectoral fins. They sit in this manner on the bottom, while observing their surroundings for food. Hawkfish have excellent eyesight, enabling them to see prey from a long distance.
Diet
Hawkfish feed on shrimp, worms and other small prey.
Notes
Contributors: Mellisa Mayhew 16/10/2008; Wayne Martin 09/11/2008
References
Egerton, L. (ed.) (2005). Encyclopedia of Australian Wildlife, (Revised Edition). Readers Digest Pty Ltd, Sydney.
Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & Allen, G.R. (2006). Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & Wells, A. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia, Volume 35.2, p. 1345. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Collingwood.
Kuiter, R.H. (1996). Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland Ltd, Sydney.
McGrouther, M. (2004). Find a Fish: Dwarf Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963. Australian Museum, Sydney, accessed 16/10/2008, [http://www.austmus.gov.au/fishes/fishfacts/fish/cfalco.htm].
Profile author
Mellisa Mayhew (09/11/2008)

Other resources

Data source

This profile data is sourced from the QLD Wildlife Data API ( https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/qld-wildlife-data-api ) using the Get species by ID function ( https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/qld-wildlife-data-api/resource/d050bfcd-ad49-4776-9bdb-7d5fa8f94fe2 ) used under CC-By 4.0 ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getspeciesbyid&taxonid=32109 ( https://apps.des.qld.gov.au/species/?op=getspeciesbyid&taxonid=32109 ).

This information is sourced from the WildNet platform ( https://www.qld.gov.au/environment/plants-animals/species-information/wildnet ) managed by the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.