Dwarf hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Centrarchiformes · Family: Cirrhitidae · Genus: Cirrhitichthys.

Accepted name: Cirrhitichthys falco · Authority: Randall, 1963 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 218854.

Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Cirrhitichthys serratus Randall, 1963; Cirrhitichtys falco Randall, 1963; Cirrtichthys falco Randall, 1963.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218854 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Cirrhitichthys falco. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 8 cm · Depth range: 4–46 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: short and / or deep · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Fishery importance: of no interest · Aquarium trade: commercial.

FishBase notes: Shallow coastal to outer reef flats and slopes to 45 m depth (Ref. 48636). Common inhabitant of coral reefs, typically resting at the bases of coral heads (Ref. 9710). Studies indicate that it is haremic and spawns nightly (Ref. 37816). Occasionally in pairs (Ref. 48636). Sometimes solitary (Ref 90102).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 5445) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Cirrhitichthys-falco.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)

3,061 georeferenced occurrence records for Cirrhitichthys falco are published through GBIF from 31 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 302 distinct locations from a sample of 3,000 records, omitting 43 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.

Most records by country or area: Northern Mariana Islands (727); Australia (650); Philippines (283); Indonesia (237); Guam (214).

The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.

Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2375162) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2375162&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218854 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-23.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Cirrhitichthys falco Randall, 1963 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 67997318) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/67997318/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2375162) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2375162/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-23.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

The dwarf hawkfish was first formally described in 1963 by the American ichthyologist John Ernest Randall with the type locality given as Davao Gulf, Mindanao in the Philippines. The specific name falco is Latin for "falcon", Randall did not explain the name but it may be a play on the common name hawkfish.

The dwarf hawkfish can reach 7 cm in total length. The dorsal fin has ten spines with numerous tassels on the tips of the spines. The anal fin has three spines and six soft rays. The pectoral fins are thick and elongated and spread out when the fish is resting on the substrate. This fish is pinkish-red and white in color with vertical banding or mottling.

The dwarf hawkfish is native to the tropical Indo-Pacific. Its range extends from the eastern coast of Africa and the Maldives to Samoa, the Ryukyu Islands, northern Australia, the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia. It is a common member of the reef community on outer reef slopes and flats and is found at depths down to about 45 m.

The dwarf hawkfish typically rests at the bottom of massive corals. It usually occurs singly but may be in pairs and feeds on fish larvae, small crustaceans and other invertebrates on the seabed.

Like many fish, this species can change sex. A dominant male keeps a harem of several females. If a harem becomes too large, one of the females may become a male and take on part of the harem as a dominant male. What makes this species unusual is that the new male may revert to the female sex if challenged by a more powerful male. A male can become a female and successfully breed, laying fertile eggs.

Source: Wikipedia: Dwarf hawkfish — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dwarf_hawkfish (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-23.

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