All fish / Cirrhitidae

Freckled Hawkfish

Paracirrhites forsteri

Also known as forster's hawkfish, freckled hawkfish, blackside hawkfish, black-sided hawkfish, forsteri hawkfish, yellow-tail hawkfish, forster hawkfish, ホシゴンベ, 福氏副䱵, 副䱵

A sturdy hawkfish with a pale head covered in small dark red freckles and a broad dark band along the rear half of the body, though colours vary between individuals. It perches on rock and coral heads watching for prey, and keepers like its bold character and hardiness.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

20 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, one hawkfish per tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, krill, chopped seafood, small fish and quality frozen meaty foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and the Ducie Islands

Breeding

Pairs spawn at dusk, releasing floating eggs into open water, and the species is a protogynous hermaphrodite living in small harems. Captive breeding is rare and rearing the tiny pelagic larvae is very difficult.

Good to know

It will eat ornamental shrimps, small crabs and fish small enough to swallow, so choose tankmates carefully. It grows to about 22 cm, larger than many hawkfish, and needs plenty of stable rock perches.