Cirrhitichthys aureus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1842)
Yellow hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys aureus
photo by Eric Keung@114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  14 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 20 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: India east to Sagami Bay, Japan and China. A new record was reported from southern Indonesia (Ref. 5978).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-12; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Distinguished from C. aprinus by the bright yellow coloration when viewed underwater (Ref. 48636). Description: Characterized by yellow to orange color; large, faint, dusky brown blotches/saddles along back; pair of diffuse brown spots just above operculum; yellowish fins; spotting on soft dorsal; presence of palatine teeth; coarsely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.2-2.5 in SL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Occurs on rocky cliffs in deep water (Ref. 9710). Also inhabits muddy substrates in protected bays where wave action has no influence (Ref. 48636). Solitary (Ref 90102).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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