All fish / Cirrhitidae

Yellow Hawkfish

Paracirrhites xanthus

Also known as yellow hawkfish, golden hawkfish, xanthus hawkfish, lemon hawkfish, キイロオキゴンベ, 黄鹰鱼, 黄副䱵

A stocky, bright yellow hawkfish with a dark-edged mark behind the eye and tufted spines on the dorsal fin. It perches on rock and coral heads watching its surroundings, which gives it plenty of character, and it is hardy and quick to take frozen foods.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, chopped shrimp, krill, frozen marine mixes

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Central Pacific: French Polynesia, Tuamotu, Society, Line and Phoenix Islands

Breeding

Pairs spawn in open water at dusk and the tiny pelagic eggs drift away. Captive breeding is rare and rearing the larvae is very hard.

Good to know

Caution: it will eat small shrimp, and may also take very small fish, so choose tankmates with care. Rarer and pricier than other hawkfish because it comes from a limited Pacific range.