Freckled hawkfish
Paracirrhites forsteri
Also known as Forster's Hawkfish, Blackside Hawkfish, Freckleface Hawkfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 8.7 in
- 22 cm
- Minimum tank
- 70 gal
- 265 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- No record
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Cirrhitidae
- Origin
- Widespread in the Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to Hawaii and French Polynesia, perching on coral heads on exposed reefs.
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.
Common questions
What size tank does a Freckled hawkfish need?
A Freckled hawkfish needs at least 70 gal (265 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Freckled hawkfish need?
A Freckled hawkfish is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Freckled hawkfish get?
An adult Freckled hawkfish reaches about 8.7 in (22 cm).
Related species
7.9 in (20 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Arc-eye hawkfish
Paracirrhites arcatus
7.9 in (20 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
5.1 in (13 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Longnose hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
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3.9 in (10 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Pixy hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus
3.9 in (10 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Flame hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Falco hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys falco
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
5.9 in (15 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Lyretail hawkfish
Cyprinocirrhites polyactis
5.9 in (15 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)