Splendid hawkfish
A monotypic hawkfish found on southwestern Pacific reefs.
The splendid hawkfish, also called the mottled hawkfish, is a marine ray-finned fish in the family Cirrhitidae. It lives on tropical Pacific Ocean reefs and is the sole member of the genus *Notocirrhitus*.
Irish-born Australian ichthyologist and herpetologist James Douglas Ogilby first described this species in 1889, naming it *Cirrhitichthys splendens* based on a specimen from Lord Howe Island. In 2001, John Ernest Randall moved it to its own genus, *Notocirrhitus*, whose name combines *noto* (meaning "south," for its more southern range compared to other hawkfishes) with *Cirrhitus*, the type genus of the family. The species name *splendens* means "splendid" or "superb," a nod to its bright coloration.
This fish has a moderately deep body and a slightly elongated snout. The upper edge of its preoperculum bears 25 or more small serrations, and the gill membrane across the throat lacks scales. Its dorsal fin contains 10 spines and 12 soft rays, with the first ray elongated; the anal fin has 3 spines and 6 soft rays. The uppermost and lowest seven pectoral fin rays are long and sturdy. Reaching a maximum total length of 20 cm (7.9 in), it is a relatively large hawkfish. The head is grey, shading to white toward the tail. Reddish spots with dark margins mark the snout and face, while stripes appear on the nape and dark blotches on the flanks. The tail bears spots, and the base of the pectoral fin shows orange-red spots.
Found only in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the splendid hawkfish has been recorded in Australian waters from Point Danger near Coolangatta in Queensland, North Solitary Island and Nelson Bay in northern New South Wales, Elizabeth Reef, Lord Howe Island, and Norfolk Island, as well as the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. It inhabits depths of 7 to 12 m (23 to 39 ft) on seaward reefs near coral heads with hard substrate.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Notocirrhitus splendens
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The splendid hawkfish was first formally described in 1889 as Cirrhitichthys splendens by the Irish born Australian ichthyologist and herpetologist James Douglas Ogilby, with the type locality given as Lord Howe Island. In 2001 John Ernest Randall placed it in a new monotypic genus, Notocirrhitus. The genus name is a compound of noto meaning 'south', a reference to the more southerly range of this species in comparison to other hawkfishes, and Cirrhitus, the type genus of the family Cirrhitidae. The specific name splendens means 'splendid' or 'superb', referring to the bright colouration of this fish.
This species has a moderately deep body and a slightly elongate snout. There are 25 or more small serrations on the upper margin of the preoperculum, and the gill membrane across the throat does not have scales. The dorsal fin has 10 spines and 12 soft rays, while the anal fin has 3 spines and 6 soft rays. The first dorsal fin ray is elongated, and the uppermost and lower seven pectoral fin rays are elongated and robust. The body is grey on the head shading to white towards the tail. The snout and face are marked with reddish spots which have darkish margins, there are stripes on the nape and dark blotches on the flanks. There are spots on the tail and the base of the pectoral fin has orange-red spots.
The splendid hawkfish is found in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, recorded only from Australian waters off Point Danger near Coolangatta in Queensland, North Solitary Island and Nelson Bay in northern New South Wales, Elizabeth Reef, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. It occurs at depths of 7 to 12 m around seaward reefs in the vicinity of coral heads where there is a hard substrate.
Reader's Guide
The splendid hawkfish is significant as the sole member of the monotypic genus Notocirrhitus, established by John Ernest Randall in 2001. Its taxonomic history reflects a shift from the genus Cirrhitichthys, based on morphological distinctions noted by Randall. The species was first described in 1889 by James Douglas Ogilby, with the type locality at Lord Howe Island. Its common name 'splendid' and specific epithet 'splendens' refer to its bright colouration, which includes grey shading to white, reddish spots with dark margins on the snout and face, stripes on the nape, dark blotches on the flanks, and orange-red spots on the pectoral fin base. The genus name Notocirrhitus highlights its more southerly distribution compared to other hawkfishes. The species is relatively large for a hawkfish, reaching a maximum total length of 20 cm. Its distribution is restricted to the southwestern Pacific, including parts of Australia, Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, and the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand, where it inhabits seaward reefs at depths of 7 to 12 m. The article does not discuss any broader ecological or conservation significance beyond these details.
Did You Know?
- The splendid hawkfish is the only species in the genus Notocirrhitus.
- Its maximum total length is 20 cm (7.9 in).
- It has been recorded only from the southwestern Pacific, including Lord Howe Island and the Kermadec Islands.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Splendid hawkfish?
The Splendid hawkfish (also known as the mottled hawkfish) is a small marine ray-finned fish belonging to the hawkfish family Cirrhitidae. It is the only species in the genus Notocirrhitus and is found on tropical reefs of the Pacific Ocean.
Where does the Splendid hawkfish live and at what depth?
This monotypic hawkfish inhabits reefs in the southwestern Pacific, typically at depths between 7 and 12 metres (roughly 23 to 39 feet). Its range sits noticeably farther south than that of most other hawkfish species.
What makes the Splendid hawkfish different from other hawkfishes?
It is the sole representative of its genus, Notocirrhitus, a name that highlights its comparatively southern distribution relative to other members of the family. Its body plan includes ten dorsal-fin spines paired with twelve soft rays, three anal-fin spines, and six anal-fin soft rays.
Who originally described the Splendid hawkfish and when?
Irish-born Australian ichthyologist James Douglas Ogilby first named the species in 1889 as Cirrhitichthys splendens, working from a specimen collected at Lord Howe Island. In 2001, John Ernest Randall reclassified it into the new, single-species genus Notocirrhitus.
How large does the Splendid hawkfish grow?
Adults reach a maximum total length of about 20 centimetres (roughly 7.9 inches), making it a modestly sized reef fish. Despite its small stature, it holds a distinctive place as the only species in its genus.
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