Pixie Hawkfish

The Coral Hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus), also referred to as the Pixy Hawkfish or Sharp-headed Hawkfish, is an intriguing species within the family Cirrhitidae. This marine ray-finned fish is indigenous to the tropical coral reefs of the 🇮🇳 Indian and 🌊 Pacific Oceans and is occasionally featured in the aquarium trade.

The species was initially described as Cirrhites oxycephalus in 1855 by the distinguished Dutch ichthyologist Pieter Bleeker, with Ambon Island designated as the type locality. The scientific name "oxycephalus" is derived from Greek, where "oxy" means "pointed" and "cephalus" implies "head," a nod to the fish's distinctive sharp snout.

The Coral Hawkfish possesses an oval, moderately compressed body with a pointed snout. A fringe of cirri adorns the posterior edge of the anterior nostril. Its moderately large mouth houses a row of small canine-like teeth on the outer jaw and simple teeth on the inner jaws, with additional dentition on the middle and sides of the mouth's roof. Noteworthy serrations are present on the preoperculum, and the gill cover is equipped with two flattened spines. The dorsal fin comprises 10 spines and 12-13 soft rays, while the anal fin contains 3 spines and six soft rays. This species characteristically features a continuous dorsal fin, with a notch demarcating the spiny and soft portions. Membranes between the spines are deeply incised, each spine capped with a tuft of cirri. The caudal fin is truncate, and the pectoral fins exhibit significant variation in ray length and robustness. The species typically reaches a maximum length of 10 cm (3.9 inches) and displays a variable coloration, ranging from whitish to pink, accented with reddish-brown to bright reddish-orange blotches.

The Coral Hawkfish is widely distributed across the 🇮🇳 Indian and 🌊 Pacific Oceans, extending from the 🌊 Red Sea and the East African coast southward to 🇿🇦 South Africa, and eastward across the 🌊 Indian Ocean to the Marquesas Islands (🇵🇫 French Polynesia). It is also present in the eastern tropical Pacific, spanning the Gulf of California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands. Their preferred habitats are regions of dense coral growth within clear lagoon, channel, or outer reefs, often beneath the surge zone at depths of up to 40 meters (130 feet).

Typically observed perched atop soft corals and sponges, the Coral Hawkfish also seeks refuge beneath hard and soft corals, from where it ambushes passing crustaceans and small fishes. In common with other hawkfishes, the adult Coral Hawkfish lacks a swim bladder, navigating its environment by hopping from perch to perch. Males exhibit territorial behavior, closely guarding harems of females. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite; juveniles begin as females, with some later transitioning to males. Coral Hawkfish are pelagic spawners, ascending into the water column as pairs during spawning.