Coral hawkfish

tropical reefs of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. It occasionally is found in the aquarium

type locality given as Ambon Island.^[3] The specific name is a compound of oxy meaning "pointed" and cephalus meaning "head", a reference to the sharp snout of this species.^[4]

pectoral fin rays are robust, notably longer than other pectoral fin rays and separated by deep incisions in their membrane. The uppermost 1-2 and the lowest 6-7 pectoral fin rays are not branched. The pelvic fin has a single spines and 5 soft rays and starts origin behind the base of the pectoral fin.^[5] The maximum recorded total length of this species is 10 cm (3.9 in).^[2] This is a variably coloured species, the background colour varying from whitish to pink marked with reddish-brown to greyish or bright reddish-orange blotches, smallest along the lateral line. The spiny part of the dorsal fin has large spots while the soft rayed part of the dorsal fin is spotted, as is the caudal fin.^[6] The pectoral fins are pinkish red in colour while the pelvic fins are transparent.^[7]

Galapagos.^[1] They live in areas of dense coral growth and in the clear waters of lagoon, channel or outer reefs where they prefer to be underneath the surge zone, occurring at depths down to at least 40 m (130 ft).^[2]

swimbladder and they hop from "perch" to "perch" like the hawks they are named after.^[9] The males are territorial and guard harems of females.^[2] This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite. the juveniles are females and some will change sex to become into males as they mature.^[9] They are pelagic spawners and the spawning pair ascend into the water column.^[2]