Coral Hawkfish

This species possess numerous short filaments at the tip of each dorsal spine. Thickened and elongate lower pectoral rays.Description: Characterized by white color with reddish brown saddles tapered ventrally; rear half of body with vertical rows of red-brown blotches; under eye with pair of reddish bars; dorsal and caudal fin spotted; presence of palatine teeth; coarsely serrate posterior margin of preopercle; greatest depth of body 2.9-3.4 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Pelagic spawner (Ref. 31569). Spawning ascents into the water column occurred over a distance of 0.2 to 0.6 m (Ref. 54536).

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12; Analspines: 3; Analsoft rays: 6

Occurs inshore (Ref. 75154).

Shallow coastal to outer reef flats and slopes to 45 m depth (Ref. 48636). Common inhabitant of coral reefs, typically resting at the bases of coral heads (Ref. 9710). Studies indicate that it is haremic and spawns nightly (Ref. 37816). Occasionally in pairs (Ref. 48636). Sometimes solitary (Ref 90102).

fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial