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Golden hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aureus) — Cirrhitidae

Golden hawkfish

Cirrhitichthys aureus
Family: Cirrhitidae

The Golden hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aureus) is a saltwater fish of the family Cirrhitidae that grows up to 14 cm.

Length
14 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
5.0–20.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The golden hawkfish is a hawkfish (Cirrhitidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 14 cm and has a stocky, yellow to orange-yellow body with thickened, free lower pectoral rays. As a bottom-oriented ambush hunter it 'perches' propped on its pectoral fins atop coral and rocks and darts from there at passing small crustaceans and small fish. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Golden hawkfish?

The Golden hawkfish has a flattened, disc-shaped body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Golden hawkfish live?

The Golden hawkfish lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Golden hawkfish get?

The Golden hawkfish grows to a maximum of about 14 cm.

Is the Golden hawkfish dangerous to humans?

No, the Golden hawkfish is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Gouden koraalwachter sourced
English name
Golden hawkfish sourced
Scientific name
Cirrhitichthys aureus
Family
Cirrhitidae
Other names
Yellow hawkfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
14.0 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
5.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Cirrhitichthys

More from the family Cirrhitidae

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