Pixy Hawkfish (dark)

Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus is a species of hawkfish found on tropical reefs of the Indo-Pacific and the eastern Pacific Ocean. It grows to 10 cm (3.9 in) in total length. It occasionally is found in the aquarium trade.

Description

Body coloration ia highly variable. Whitish or pink with squarish red to brown blotches covering sides. Head is with smaller red to brown spots and blotches. Dorsal and tail fins are with rows of small red-brown spots. Body is oval, moderately compressed. Snout is pointed, with straight profile. Rear edge is of front nostril with a fringe of cirri. Bone under front of eye is with partly free rear margin. Mouth is moderately large. A row of small canines on jaws is with a band of simple teeth inside those. Teeth are on center and sides of roof of mouth. Preopercle margin is coarsely serrated. Operculum with 2 flat spines; dorsal fin X, 12, continuous, slightly notched between spines and rays, membranes between spines deeply indented, each spine with a large bunch of cirri at the tip; anal fin III, 6; tail fin bluntly straight edged; lower 5-7 rays of the pectoral stout, with membranes deeply notched, distinctly longer than other rays, top 1-2 & lower 6-7 pectoral rays unbranched; pelvic I, 5, its origin behind pectoral base; scales smooth, none between eyes, 3-4 rows of large scales on cheek; 41-45 on lateral line.

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.

Habitat

Inhabit areas of rich coral growth and clear water of lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs from below the surge zone to depths of at least 40 m. They rest on, in, or beneath hard or soft corals. Feed on crustaceans and small fishes. Males are territorial and haremic.

Taxonomic synonyms

• Cirrhites oxycephalus Bleeker, 1855
• Cirrhites grandimaculatus F. Liénard, 1891
• Cirrhites murrayi Regan, 1909
• Cirrhitichthys corallicola Tee-Van, 1940