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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
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

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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. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and others

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. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Golden hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aureus) — Cirrhitidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) T.Tanigaki, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aureus) — Cirrhitidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gomen See, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Golden hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aureus) — Cirrhitidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Izuzuki (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Golden hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys aureus) — Cirrhitidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kankandy, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

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
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. 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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