Family CIRRHITIDAE

Cirrhitidae

© Copyright Ros Poole.

Notocirrhitus splendens from Norfolk Island

© Copyright D.F. Hoese

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Introduction

The Cirrhitidae comprise 33 species belonging to 12 genera (Randall 2001). All except three Atlantic species occur in the tropical Indo-Pacific region. The Australian fauna numbers 12 species in eight genera.

Hawkfishes are inhabitants of coral or rocky reefs, occurring to depths of about 50 m. All are predators of small fishes and crustaceans except Cyprinocirrhites polyactis, which feeds on zooplankton. Cirrhitids are serranid-like fishes that live on the bottom, perched on coral heads or rocky outcrops. Distinctive features include tassel-like cirri at the tip of each dorsal spine and thickened lower pectoral rays. They are typically brown or reddish in colour with contrasting spots, stripes or bars. The maximum length of Australian species is 29 cm.

The hawkfishes were reviewed by Randall (1963) and diagnoses and colour illustrations are provided by Randall et al. (1990). Randall (2001) reviewed the generic classification, and provided a key to genera.

General References

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. Vol. 35. Volume 35 Australia : ABRS & CSIRO Publishing Parts 1-3, 2178 pp. [1344]

Randall, J.E. 1963. Review of the hawkfishes (family Cirrhitidae). Proceedings of the United States National Museum 114(3472): 389-451 figs 1-16

Randall, J.E. 2001. Revision of the generic classification of the hawkfishes (Cirrhitidae), with descriptions of three new genera. Zootaxa 12: 1-12

Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & Steene, R. 1990. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Bathurst : Crawford House Press 507 pp. figs.

Common Name References

Kuiter, R.H. 1992. Tropical Reef-Fishes of the Western Pacific, Indonesia and Adjacent Waters. Jakarta : PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama 314 pp. pls. [141] (Hawkfishes)

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