Spotted hawkfish facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Spotted hawkfish |
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The spotted hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aprinus) is a cool marine fish known by a few other names like the blotched hawkfish or redbarred hawkfish. It's part of the hawkfish family, called Cirrhitidae. You can find these fish all over the warm, tropical parts of the Indo-West Pacific Ocean. They are quite common and love to hang out in rocky and coral areas of reefs near the coast, just below where the waves break.
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What is a Spotted Hawkfish?
The spotted hawkfish has a body that's about two and a half times longer than it is deep. Its body is covered in smooth, round scales. The fin on its back (dorsal fin) has 10 strong spines and 12 soft rays. The fin on its belly (anal fin) has 3 spines and 6 soft rays. The tips of the dorsal fin spines have short, white, thread-like parts.
The lower 7 rays of its side fins (pectoral fins) are thick and strong, helping the fish perch on things. Its pelvic fins, located on its underside, reach past its anus. The tail fin is slightly curved inward. This fish can grow up to about 12.5 centimeters (about 5 inches) long.
What Does a Spotted Hawkfish Look Like?
Spotted hawkfish are usually whitish in color. They have wide, dark reddish-brown stripes going up and down their sides. These stripes are broken up by lighter areas that have dark, diamond-shaped spots, especially where they cross the lateral line (a special sensing line along the fish's side).
You'll also notice a dark, round spot with a pale edge on the upper part of its gill cover. Each eye has about 3 to 4 dark lines that spread out from it, like rays. The tail fin is clear and doesn't have any markings.
Where Do Spotted Hawkfish Live?
Spotted hawkfish live in a huge area, from Sumatra in the west all the way to the Solomon Islands in the east. They are found north in the Philippines and southern Japan, and south along the eastern and western coasts of Australia. They also live in places like the Cocos (Keeling) Islands and Lord Howe Island.
Sometimes, they've been seen in the western Indian Ocean, like off the coast of South Africa and in the Maldives. These fish are common in rocky and coral parts of coastal reefs. They live below the low tide mark and can even be found in shallow harbors and estuaries. You can find them at depths between 5 and 40 meters (about 16 to 130 feet).
Spotted Hawkfish Behavior and Life Cycle
You'll often see spotted hawkfish swimming alone or in small groups. They like to perch on things like sponges and corals using their strong lower pectoral fin rays. This helps them stay in one spot and watch for food.
What Do Spotted Hawkfish Eat?
These fish are predators. They mostly eat small fish and tiny crustaceans, which are like small shrimp or crabs.
How Do Spotted Hawkfish Reproduce?
Scientists believe that spotted hawkfish are protogynous hermaphrodites. This means they start their lives as females and can later change into males. They are thought to live in groups where one male lives with a few females, like a small family.
When it's time to lay eggs, a male and female pair will swim upwards in the water for a short distance, less than a meter. They release their eggs, which then float freely in the water.
Images for kids
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A spotted hawkfish perched on coral.
