HAWKFISHES - Cirrhitidae
General:
Continuous dorsal fin with 10 spines, 11-17 soft rays; interspinal membranes with cirri. Anal fin 5-7 soft rays. Scales ctenoid or cycloid. Vertebrae 26-28. Maximum length about 55 cm. Species usually small and very colorful; inhabits rocks and corals. Have many features in common with the scorpaenids. Feed on small crustaceans and fishes. Protogynous hermaphrodites, with few dominant males. Spawning takes place in open water near the surface.
Only one species is known in the Tropical Western Atlantic (TWA)
Etymology
Related voice to Greek, kirrhos = Latin cirrus = curl, fringe
CHUB
REDSPOTTED HAWKFISH
Alblycirrhitus pinos