Freckled Hawkfish

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep it in a 265 litre or larger tank at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with sturdy rock perches. It is reef safe with caution, as it leaves corals alone but will eat small fish, shrimp, and crabs. Feed meaty foods such as mysis, chopped seafood, and krill. It is bold and territorial, so add it late and pair it with tankmates large enough to stand up to it.

In the wild

The freckled hawkfish perches on coral and rock, propping itself up on thick pectoral fins while it watches for prey. Color varies widely, but most have a freckled face and a dark stripe along the back half of the body. It lacks a swim bladder and rests on the reef rather than swimming in open water. It ambushes small fish and crustaceans that pass its perch.

Good to know

Paracirrhites forsteri is a hawkfish in the family Cirrhitidae. Hawkfish have no swim bladder, so they sit and perch instead of hovering. This species is a protogynous hermaphrodite, changing from female to male, and a male may guard a small harem.

Did you know

It often wedges itself right into a branching coral or rock crevice to sit and survey its territory like a hawk on a perch.

Related species

• 

  Arc-Eye Hawkfish

  Paracirrhites arcatus

  7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Longnose Hawkfish

  Oxycirrhites typus

  5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Pixy Hawkfish

  Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus

  3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Flame Hawkfish

  Neocirrhites armatus

  3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Falco Hawkfish

  Cirrhitichthys falco

  2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Lyretail Hawkfish

  Cyprinocirrhites polyactis

  5.9 in (15 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)