Stocky Hawkfish

Stocky Hawkfish

Cirrhitus pinnulatus
Stocky Hawkfish

Average Weight/Length

Max length : 30.0 cm TL male/unsexed; common length : 23.0 cm TL male/unsexed

Family, Genus, Class & Etymology

Family    Cirrhitidae
Description    Hawkfishes
Environment    Marine
Etymology    Related voice to Greek, kirrhos = Latin cirrus = curl, fringe
Genus    12
No. of Species    33
Order    Perciformes
Class    Actinopterygii
Reproductive Guild    Nonguarders
Distribution    Tropical western and eastern Atlantic, Indian and Pacific (mainly Indo-Pacific). Continuous dorsal fin with 10 spines, 11-17 soft rays; interspinal membranes with cirri. Anal fin 5-7 soft rays. Scales ctenoid or cycloid. Vertebrae 26-28. Maximum length about 55 cm. Species usually small and very colorful; inhabits rocks and corals. Have many features in common with the scorpaenids. Feed on small crustaceans and fishes. Protogynous hermaphrodites, with few dominant males. Spawning takes place in open water near the surface. Adapt well to aquarium conditions.

Other "Popular" Names for this Fish

Stocky Hawkfish

Location Habitat

Inhabits reef fronts and rocky shorelines exposed to moderate to strong surge to depths of about 3 m. Benthic. Feeds primarily on crabs, also takes other crustaceans, small fishes, sea urchins or brittle stars.

Biology & Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6. Light brown, whitish below, with white and dark brown spots (

Life Cycle & Mating Behavior

Pelagic spawner. Spawning ascents into the water column occurred over a distance of 1.5 to 2.0 m. Further histological evidence is needed to establish protogyny

Geographic Species Map (Fishbase.org Map)

Summary of Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Marquesan Islands and Mangaréva, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to the Kermadec and Rapa Islands.

Note: Distribution range colors indicate degree of suitability of habitat which can be interpreted as probabilities of occurrence (fishbase.org)

Sport Fishing Techniques

Drifting

Drift fishing allows you to fish over a variety of habitats as your boat drifts with the currents or wind movement. You can drift fish on the bottom or change the depth with a bobber or float. Natural baits work best. But jigs, lures and artificial flies will produce good results, too. You can drift fish on the ocean, as well as ponds, lakes, rivers and streams any time of the day and year..

Still Fishing

The simplest of fishing methods can also be the most effective. Still-fishing is a matter of putting your bait in the water and waiting for a fish to find it. Depending on water depth and what you’re trying to catch, you may want to still-fish near the surface, at a mid-water depth, or right down on the bottom. Using a float, or bobber, makes it easy to fish near the surface, or you can add sinkers to your line to fish deeper. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom or off the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. And you can still fish during most seasons and during any part of the day. You have to be very patient. You need to wait for the fish to bite. Still fishing is a versatile way to go. You can do it from a pier, a bridge, an anchored boat or from shore. You can still fish on the bottom in ponds, lakes, rivers and streams for a variety of species. .

Picture (Fish)