How to Identify Red Spotted Hawkfish

To identify Red Spotted Hawkfish (Amblycirrhitus pinos), look at these key features.

Physical Characteristics

Body shape

elongated

Coloration

The body is predominantly white to pale cream, covered with numerous distinct, bright red to reddish-brown spots. These spots extend onto the fins. The head often has a reticulated pattern of red lines or spots.

Scale type

ctenoid

Mouth position

terminal

Distinctive features

Prominent red spots covering the entire body and fins., Fringe of cirri (small fleshy filaments) on the posterior margin of the anterior dorsal fin spines., Thickened, unbranched lower pectoral fin rays.

Dorsal fin

Single dorsal fin with 10 spines and 11-12 soft rays. The anterior spines have cirri.

Tail fin

Truncate to slightly rounded caudal fin.

Pectoral fin

14 pectoral fin rays, with the lower 7 rays unbranched and thickened, used for perching.

Distinctive fins

The presence of cirri on the dorsal fin spines and the thickened, unbranched lower pectoral fin rays are characteristic of hawkfish.

Identification Tips

1. 1

   Coloration

   Look for the distinctive white to cream body covered in bright red to reddish-brown spots. This is the most defining characteristic.

2. 2

   Dorsal Fin Cirri

   Observe the small, fleshy filaments (cirri) on the tips of the dorsal fin spines, a common feature in hawkfish.

3. 3

   Pectoral Fins

   Note the thickened, unbranched lower pectoral fin rays, which the fish uses to prop itself up on substrates.

4. 4

   Behavior

   Its characteristic perching behavior on corals and rocks is a strong indicator.

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