Distribution:
Tropical seas of the world with most species in the Indo-West Pacific.
Habitat:
Shallow water on coral or rocky reefs or boulder-strewn slopes.
Remarks:
Hawkfishes have cirri, almost like small flags, on the interspinous membrane of the dorsal fin. The common name likely comes from their ability to perch themselves on the enlarged lower pectoral-fin rays. These pectoral rays are also used to wedge the body in areas subject to wave surge. They generally are brightly colored fishes which are sometimes in the aquarium trade.
Hawkfishes usually feed on benthic crustaceans.
There are 12 genera with about 33 species.
References:
Randall 2001;
Nelson 2006