Coral hawkfish
📖 Overview
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 .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12 - 13; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6. Highly variable in color from pale with grey to black blotches to pink with bright red blotches . Pale with horizontal rows of subquadrate dark brown spots; a row of smaller spots on LL between larger spots; small dark brown spots on head . : short and / or deep; Cross section: compressed.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Coral hawkfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Pelagic spawner . Spawning ascents into the water column occurred over a distance of 0.3 to1.0 m .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 40 m , usually 10 - 25 m . Tropical; 24°C - 28°C ; 30°N - 23°S, 180°W - 180°E south to East London, South Africa (Ref.
🌿 Ecology
crustaceans and small fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🍽️ Edibility & Flavour
"Coral hawkfish is an edible species."
- Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
- Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
- Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
- Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
- Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
- Cloudy or sunken eyes
- Strong fishy or ammonia odour
- Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
- Discoloured or dry flesh
⚡ Nutrition
Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 18.6 g |
| Omega-3 (total) | 134 mg |
🔬 Mercury Safety
Mercury data for Coral hawkfish has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.
🌿 Sustainability
🔬 Full Nutritional Profile
Per 100g - Raw, per 100g - Source: USDA FoodData Central templates (generic fish average)
📊 Population Dynamics
| Year | Region | Index | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| - | - | - |
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Pixy Hawkfish, Coral hawkfish · Sharp-headed Hawkfish · Spotted Hawkfish · coral hawkfish · pixy hawkfish |
| 🌍CES | štětičkovec tečkovaný |
| 🇩🇪German | Gefleckter Korallenwächter |
| 🌍DIV | Gaa boa |
| 🇫🇷French | Poisson-faucon lutin · Poisson-épervier Taché · Épervier Farfadet · Épervier Lutin · Épervier lutin, Épervier à points rouges · Épervier à Points Rouges |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce falco maculato |
| 🇯🇵Japanese | Himegombe · Minamigonbe · ヒメゴンベ |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Peixe-falcão-pintado |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | halcón de coral |
| 🌍THA | ปลาปากเหยี่ยวลายดวง |
| 🇨🇳Chinese | 尖頭金䱵 |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cirrhites grandimaculatus | Liénard | 1891 | Synonym |
| Cirrhites murrayi | Regan | 1909 | Synonym |
| Cirrhites oxycephalus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
| Cirrhitichthys corallicola | Tee-Van | 1940 | Synonym |
| Cirrhitychthys oxycephalus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
| Cirritichthys oxycephalus | Bleeker | 1855 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 20 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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