Amblycirrhitus bimacula (Jenkins, 1903)
Twospot hawkfish
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  8.5 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 20 m, non-migratory
Distribution:  Indo-Pacific: East Africa to MangarĂ©va, Tuamoto Islands and the Hawaiian Islands, north to Taiwan; throughout Micronesia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Irregular dark bars on body which may be broken into spots; 2 narrow diagonal bars on cheek; opercle and base of soft dorsal with large ocellated black spot (Ref. 5469). Description: Characterized by presence of palatine teeth; finely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.8-3.0 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  A secretive species remaining in or near interstices of rock, coral, or rubble (Ref. 2334, 58302). Moderately common in seaward reefs in areas exposed to moderate surge or currents (Ref. 2334). Feeds on small crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 30874.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 02 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.