Cirrhitus pinnulatus (Forster, 1801)
Stocky hawkfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 23 m
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 5470) to the Marquesan Islands and MangarĂ©va, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to the Kermadec and Rapa Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Light brown, whitish below, with white and dark brown spots (Ref. 5469). Description: Characterized by having lower seven unbranched pectoral rays; presence of palatine teeth; finely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.6-3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Inhabits reef fronts and rocky shorelines exposed to moderate to strong surge to depths of about 3 m (Ref. 9947). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds primarily on crabs, also takes other crustaceans, small fishes, sea urchins or brittle stars. Marketed fresh (Ref. 9947).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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