Cirrhitichthys aprinus (Spotted hawkfish)

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Facts

Latin name	Cirrhitichthys aprinus - (Cuvier, 1829)
Local name	Spotted hawkfish
Family	Cirrhitidae - Cirrhitichthys
Origin	East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, Indonesia, East Pacific, New Zealand, Central/West Pacific
Max length	12 cm (4.7")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	150 l (40 gal)
Hardiness	Hardy
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable with care
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Aggressive towards other species

Feed

Recommended	Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...) Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Maybee	Fish

Can be a threat to small fish

This spicies might be a threat to smaller fishes.

Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Small aquaria

This species can be kept in a small tank, if it is specifically equipped to meet its needs.

It is recommended however, to keep it in an aquarium which is larger then described above.

Aggressive

This species can be extremely aggressive towards other fish.

Be careful when keeping these fish together with peaceful or docile species. Regular feeding, plenty of hiding places and a lot of space can alleviate aggressive behavior to some degree.

Personality

This species often has a fun and interesting personality.

Can coexist as a pair

They can live as a pair provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Hermaphroditic

This species can change gender from female to male.

When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.

Family description (Cirrhitidae)

Hawkfish stay still and wait for food most of the time, they are therefore suitable for smaller aquaria.

One must be aware that Hawkfishes can be very aggressive.

Very aggressive genera
The very aggressive species will sometimes attack many different types of fish, even the ones that are larger than themselves.

Cirrhitops
Cirrhitus
Paracirrhtes

Semi aggressive genera
The semi aggressive species are most threatening towards fish whose behaviour mimcks their own, and fish which are introduced after they have settled in.

Cirrhitichthys

Less aggressive genera
The less aggressive species are rarely threatening towards fish that which do not resemble them.

Cyprinocirrhites
Neocirrhites
Oxycirrhites

Larger Hawkfishes might eat small fish, shrimps etc. in the aquarium. Species of the Cyprinocirrhites and Neocirrhites genera are least likely to eat shrimps etc.

Hawkfish do not place many demands on their surroundings or water quality, as they are fairly hardy.

It is possible to keep several Hawkfish together, but sometimes they will suddenly begin to fight after some time in the aquarium.
This may be due to them changing gender so one can end up with two males.

FishBase

Aquarium trade	Yes
Distribution	Western Indian Ocean: Maldives (Ref. 30829). Western Pacific.
English common names	Threadfin hawkfish Blotched hawkfish
French common names	Épervier à taches rouges

References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2001. Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: v. 2 (Reef Fishes) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
James W. Fatherree. The Hawkfishes - Reefs Magazine - (English)
Bob Fenner. Hawkfishes, Family Cirrhitidae Part I, Part II, Part III - Wet Web Media - (English)