Notocirrhitus
Notocirrhitus is a genus of fish in the family Cirrhitidae, commonly known as hawkfishes. These fish are characterized by their distinctive appearance, with large, prominent eyes, long, whip-like cirri (filaments) on their dorsal and pectoral fins, and a flattened, often brightly colored body. They are found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting coral reefs, rocky shores, and seagrass beds.
Characteristics
Notocirrhitus species typically have a stout, compressed body with a large head. They have a wide mouth with small, bristle-like teeth adapted for feeding on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish. The dorsal fin is continuous and has a spiny portion and a soft ray portion, with the first spine being very prominent and sometimes elongated. The pectoral fins are also large and fan-like, often with long, filamentous rays. They exhibit a wide range of coloration, with some species displaying bright red, orange, yellow, or even black and white patterns.
Environment and Behavior
Notocirrhitus hawkfishes are generally solitary and territorial, defending their home ranges from other fish. They are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They often perch on rocks or corals, using their long cirri to feel for prey or to signal to other fish. The cirri are also used for camouflage and protection from predators.
Species
The genus Notocirrhitus includes the following species:
- Notocirrhitus armatus (Cuvier, 1829) – Armed hawkfish
- Notocirrhitus cornutus (Valenciennes, 1836) – Horned hawkfish
- Notocirrhitus erythrophthalmus (Bleeker, 1857) – Red-eyed hawkfish
- Notocirrhitus maculatus (Günther, 1861) – Spotted hawkfish
- Notocirrhitus niger (Valenciennes, 1836) – Black hawkfish
- Notocirrhitus splendens (Valenciennes, 1836) – Splendid hawkfish
References
For further information about the genus Notocirrhitus, you can refer to these reliable online resources: