Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963
Dwarf hawkfish
photo by van der Werff, M.

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 4 - 46 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Maldives (Ref. 2334) to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. This species possess numerous short filaments at the tip of each dorsal spine. Thickened and elongate lower pectoral rays. Description: Characterized by white color with reddish brown saddles tapered ventrally; rear half of body with vertical rows of red-brown blotches; under eye with pair of reddish bars; dorsal and caudal fin spotted; presence of palatine teeth; coarsely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.9-3.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Shallow coastal to outer reef flats and slopes to 45 m depth (Ref. 48636). Common inhabitant of coral reefs, typically resting at the bases of coral heads (Ref. 9710). Studies indicate that it is haremic and spawns nightly (Ref. 37816). Occasionally in pairs (Ref. 48636). Sometimes solitary (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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