REVIEW OF THE HAWKFISHES — RANDALL 415 



of the upper and lower edges of the caudal fin with a very narrow 

 black margin; on some specimens a dusky streak on membranes in 

 soft portion of dorsal fin just above basal scales; no spots or bands on 

 snout, maxillary, or interopercle. 



Life color of holotype bright yellow, the back bro^vnish yellow, with 

 a narrow black postocular mark edged narrowly in pale yeUow extend- 

 ing diagonally upward from hind part of eye; spinous portion of dorsal 

 fin yellow, soft portion yellow on basal two-fifths and hyaline with 

 yellow rays on outer three-fifths; remaining fins hyaline with yellow 

 rays except basal scaled portions which are solid yellow; iris yellow 

 with a ring of red-violet. Close inspection of the yellow of the side 

 of the body reveals alternate lines of bright yellow and yellowish 

 white with a faint bluish cast. The overall effect, as when observed 

 underwater, is of an entirely bright yellow fish with a black mark 

 behind the eye. All paratypes were yellow. 



Remarks. — Named xanthus in reference to the life color. 



Unlike other cirrhitids which are often not seen until they move 

 from part of the reef to another, this bright yellow hawkfish is very 

 conspicuous as it rests on the bottom — usually on a small head of 

 brownish or pinkish Pocillopora. Individual fish could be approached 

 closely. When an attempt was made to capture one and it escaped, 

 it would either swim to a nearby coral head or hide within cracks in 

 the coral on which it was encountered. 



The species was common at Caroline Atoll, occasional in the 

 Tuamotu Archipelago, and rare in the Society Islands. It was ob- 

 served only on exposed outer reefs at depths of less than 10 to 80 feet. 



Paracirrhites xanthus is closely related to the East Indian P. ambly- 

 cex>halus (Bleeker). The rounded caudal fin, shape and position 

 of the postocular mark, and orange-red color attributed to amhly- 

 cephalus by Bleeker constitute the principal differences from xanthus. 

 The type of amhlycephalus is badly damaged, and the differences can 

 no longer be demonstrated (see "Remarks" under amhlycephalus)', 

 thus the distinction of these 2 species draws heavily on Bleeker's 

 figure and description. 



Paracirrhites nisus, new species 



Figure 16 



Holotype. — USNM 190572, a ripe female specimen, 77.0 mm. in 

 standard length, Takapoto Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, southeast 

 side of atoll off village on sea side; depth about 25 feet, spear, J. 

 Randall, Nov. 19, 1956. 



Paratype. — USNM 190573, a male specimen, 51.5 mm. in standard 

 length, same collecting data as holotype. 



