Splendid hawkfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Splendid hawkfish |
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The splendid hawkfish (Notocirrhitus splendens), also called the mottled hawkfish, is a type of ocean fish. It's a ray-finned fish from the hawkfish family, Cirrhitidae. You can find this fish living on warm, tropical reefs in the Pacific Ocean.
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What is the Splendid Hawkfish?
The splendid hawkfish is known for its beautiful colors. It has a body that's not too thin and a snout that's a bit long. This fish can grow to be about 20 centimeters (almost 8 inches) long.
How Does the Splendid Hawkfish Look?
The body of the splendid hawkfish is grey near its head and turns white closer to its tail. Its snout and face have reddish spots with dark edges. You might also see stripes on its neck and dark patches on its sides. Its tail and the base of its pectoral fins (the ones on its sides) have orange-red spots.
This fish has special fins. Its top fin, called the dorsal fin, has 10 strong spines and 12 soft rays. The first ray on this fin is longer than the others. Its bottom fin, called the anal fin, has 3 spines and 6 soft rays. The top and bottom seven rays on its pectoral fins are also long and strong.
Where Does the Splendid Hawkfish Live?
The splendid hawkfish lives in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It has been seen in a few places around Australia and New Zealand.
Where Can You Find This Fish?
In Australia, it has been found near Point Danger in Queensland, and in northern New South Wales near North Solitary Island and Nelson Bay. It also lives around Elizabeth Reef, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island. In New Zealand, it has been spotted near the Kermadec Islands.
This fish likes to live in water that is about 7 to 12 meters (23 to 39 feet) deep. It prefers reefs that face the open ocean, especially around coral heads where the bottom is hard.
