Cirrhitus rivulatus Valenciennes, 1846
Giant hawkfish
Cirrhitus rivulatus
photo by Wepner, T.

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed); max.weight: 4,160.0 g
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 5 - 23 m
Distribution:  Eastern Central Pacific: Gulf of California to northern Colombia and the Galapagos Islands.
Diagnosis:  Body moderately deep and compressed; dorsal fin with 10 thick spines and 11 to 12 soft rays (X,11-12); interspinal membranes with terminal cirri; pectoral fins wide, with 14 rays, the lower 7 thickened and unbranched, with notched membranes; body olive green to red, with 4 dark oblique bars with cobalt blue borders; head with similar dark bars (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Solitary, bottom-living in shallow waters (Ref. 28023). Lies very still on rock ledges and is well camouflaged against the rocks. Feeds on crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 37955). Considered a good food fish (Ref. 9289).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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