Pixy hawkfish
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Like all other fishes, hawkfishes generally interact through motions and gestures. This is why they are used to brighten up aquariums. Unlike the monkfish that come with a not-too-pleasing appearance, hawkfishes are extremely appealing to the senses due to their bright blue bodies. Although they possess a small body, they have strong jaws and serrated teeth suited to chew flesh. They have a whitish-blue body with red spots all over. The compressed oval-shaped body and long, pointed snout gives the Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus a distinct identification. Coral Hawkfish Fun Facts What do coral hawkfish look like? However, due to over-fishing, the population of this fish is steadily declining. What is their conservation status?Īccording to the records of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, the conservation status of the coral hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus) falls under the Least Concern category owing to its abundance within its geographical habitat. Territorial males engage in protecting the harems inhabited by the females. They are pelagic spawners and the eggs float in the water. They are born females but later develop into males.
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How do they reproduce?Ĭoral hawkfishes are protogynous hermaphrodites. Their lifespan is mostly cut short due to the presence of predatory fishes along with unchecked human activities. The average lifespan of hawkfishes ranges from five to seven years but they can live to a maximum of 10 years. However, it's preferable not to keep these hawkfishes with other fish in an aquarium tank as they easily fall prey due to a hawkfish's aggressive behavior. They can live in solitude and they can also adjust living with schooling members or other aquarium fishes. The social behavioral pattern of hawkfishes is variable.
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They can also be found in fisheries and aquariums. The habitat of Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus fish comprises coastal lagoons and tropical reefs. Coral hawkfishes can be traced to the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. Their high commercial value due to popularity in fish trade amounts to large-scale fishing annually. These marine water reef fish can be found throughout the globe in ample amounts. However, the population trend has projected a steady decline perhaps due to over-exploitation as a result of uncontrolled fishing. To put it in simple terms, coral hawkfishes are plentiful but accurate records of their current numbers are unavailable, therefore we do not know for sure how many coral hawkfish there are. How many coral hawkfish are there in the world? What class of animal does a coral hawkfish belong to?Ī coral hawkfish has been classified under the class Actinopterygii and Cirrhitichthys genus. Some other mesmerizing sea fishes like the Mexican hogfish, moray eel, and king angelfish are also interesting to read about. Coral Hawkfish Interesting Facts What type of animal is a coral hawkfish?Ī coral hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus) of the family Cirrhitidae is a fish species endemic to the tropical reefs of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean.