Family : Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Stocky hawkfish
Fish Name : Cirrhitus pinnulatus
Max size : 30.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9947)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 0 - 23 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 30°S
Global Importance : fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Resilience: Distribution: Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (Ref. 5470) to the Marquesan Islands and Mangaréva, north to southern Japan and the Hawaiian Islands, south to the Kermadec and Rapa Islands. Southeast Atlantic: southeast coast of South Africa (Ref. 5469).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-11; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-6. Light brown, whitish below, with white and dark brown spots (Ref. 5469).
Biology : Inhabits reef fronts and rocky shorelines exposed to moderate to strong surge to depths of about 3 m (Ref. 9947). Benthic (Ref. 58302). Feeds primarily on crabs, also takes other crustaceans, small fishes, sea urchins or brittle stars. Marketed fresh (Ref. 9947)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : harmless
Coordinator :
Main Ref : Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)

India country information
Common Names : ചമ്മം, ചാമ്മാം , Boffana, Chammam
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses