Oxycirrhites typus

(Bleeker, 1857)

Vernacular names
English : Longnose hawkfish
French : Poisson-épervier à damier

Classification
Class : Teleostei
Order : Centrarchiformes
Family : Cirrhitidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species can reach up to 13 cm in length. Unmistakable. Long head with very long pointed snout. Elongated body. Coloration pinkish with bright red vertical and horizontal bands making a checkered pattern on flanks.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in the Indo-Pacific region, from East Africa and Red Sea to Hawaii and French Polynesia, north to south Japan, south to Australia. Lives around steep outer reef slopes with strong currents, from 10 to 100 m deep.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is uncommonly seen in the wild but big decline in its host coral species could become a threat on long term. Occurs in protected areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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