Cirrhitops fasciatus – Redbarred Hawkfish

Cirrhitops fasciatus – Redbarred Hawkfish

The scientific name of the Red-banded Coral Climber is Cirrhitops fasciatus. This species was first formally described by the English naturalist Edward Turner Bennett in the year 1828.

The genus name “Cirrhitops” is derived from the Latin word “cirrus,” meaning “curl” or “fringe,” and the Greek word “ops,” meaning “appearance.” The species name “fasciatus” means “banded” or “striped,” referring to the four thick bands on the fish’s body.

Synonyms

This is a list of synonyms for the species name Cirrhitops fasciatus:

1. Cirrhites fasciatus (Bennett, 1828)
2. Cirrhites cinctus (Günther, 1860)
3. Paracirrhites cinctus (Günther, 1860)

These synonyms have been used in various taxonomic descriptions and publications over the years, but the currently accepted name is Cirrhitops fasciatus.

Description

Redbarred Hawkfish have a robust and somewhat elongated body. The head and sides of the fish are whitish in color with conspicuous red or brown vertical bands running down the sides and back. The fins are usually transparent with a slight red tint, and the dorsal fins have fringes at the tips of the spines. The head is often speckled with reddish or brown spots, adding to its distinctive appearance.

This species can reach a maximum length of about 13 centimeters. The difference between the sexes is not visible in this species. That also makes it difficult to keep this species together with multiple specimens.

Lifespan

In a well maintained aquarium, Cirrhitops fasciatus can live up to 5 to 7 years, provided they receive proper care and nutrition.

Swim bladder is missing

The swim bladder is absent in Cirrhitops fasciatus. This has some specific consequences for the swimming behaviour of this fish species:

1. Use of Pelvic Fins:
   Since the Redband Coral Climber does not have a swim bladder, it uses its strong pelvic fins to support itself when sitting on rocks or corals. This behavior is typical of Coral Climber species, which often sit in elevated positions to observe their surroundings.
2. Limited Swimming Ability:
   Without a swim bladder, which normally helps regulate buoyancy, the Redband Coral Climber is less able to swim or hover in the water column for extended periods of time. Instead, it tends to stay close to the bottom or on hard surfaces such as corals and rocks.
3. Territorial Behavior:
   The absence of a swim bladder contributes to territorial behavior. They often choose a specific spot where they feel comfortable and defend it from intruders. This behavior is reinforced by their tendency to sit in elevated positions and observe their surroundings.
4. Feeding strategy:
   They often wait in a strategic spot to catch prey, such as small fish, shrimp, and crabs. This “sitting” behavior is an adaptation to their lack of a swim bladder, which prevents them from having to actively hunt through the water column.

The absence of a swim bladder in Cirrhitops fasciatus results in a unique adaptation to their habitat, making them well-adapted to life on the bottom of coral reefs and rocky areas.

Sequential Hermaphroditism in Cirrhitops fasciatus

Cirrhitops fasciatus is a sequential hermaphrodite. This means that individuals of this species can change sex during their lifetime. In this case, they are specifically protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that they start life as females and later change into males.

Meaning and Consequences

1. Sex change
   
   Start as Females: Most individuals start life as females. This is a strategic adaptation to ensure that there are enough females to produce eggs.
   
   Change to Males: When a male is needed, such as if the dominant male dies or disappears, one of the larger, dominant females can change sex and take over the male’s role.
   
2. Territorial Behavior
   
   Males and Females: Males hold and guard territories that include the smaller territories of one to three females. They move between different roosts within that territory.
   
   Courtship and spawning: The courtship process begins around dusk and involves a series of behaviors and displays that ultimately culminate in the deposition of eggs.
   
3. Advantages of Sequential Hermaphroditism
   
   Flexibility in Population Dynamics: This adaptation provides flexibility in population dynamics, allowing the species to better respond to changes in the environment and the availability of mates.
   
   Optimization of Reproduction: By starting out as females, individuals can contribute to reproduction by producing eggs. Later, as they grow larger and more dominant, they can contribute to the fertilization of eggs as males, maximizing the reproductive success of the species.

Biotope

The Cirrhitops fasciatus is native to Madagascar, Réunion, Mauritius, Japan, and Hawaii. They live in seas and bays, specifically in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and their habitat consists of coral reefs and rocky areas with lots of underwater vegetation. The bottom consists mainly of hard substrates such as coral and rocks.

The Aquarium

For keeping a single Cirrhitops fasciatus, an aquarium of at least 300 liters is recommended. Decorate the aquarium with lots of rocks, hiding places and coral. This fish species likes to sit on elevated positions and observe its surroundings. Keep the temperature between 22°C and 27°C.

The Redband Coral Climber can be kept with other semi-aggressive or aggressive fish species that are not too small. Suitable tankmates include the Fire Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica) , Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni), Clownfish and the Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto).

This species of fish should not be kept with very small fish or vulnerable invertebrates such as small shrimp and crabs, as Cirrhitops fasciatus may regard these as prey.

Author

John de Lange

Copyright images

Russell Gilbert
Randall Spangler – CC-BY-NC