Freckled Hawkfish - Paracirrhites forsteri

Freckled Hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri)

The Freckled Hawkfish is a bold and characterful marine fish recognised for its variable yellow, red and brown colouration, dark upper-body markings and fine reddish spotting across the head and front of the body. Like other hawkfish, it spends much of its time perched prominently on rockwork or branching corals, watching the surrounding aquarium before darting out to capture food. Hardy and engaging once established, it is best suited to aquariums containing robust tankmates, as its predatory nature can put small fish and ornamental crustaceans at risk.

Common Name:
Freckled Hawkfish, Forster’s Hawkfish, Blackside Hawkfish, Freckleface Hawkfish

Scientific Name (Latin):
Paracirrhites forsteri

Maximum Size:
Approximately 22 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Freckled Hawkfish has a broad Indo-Pacific distribution, ranging from the Red Sea and East Africa across to the Hawaiian, Line, Marquesan and Ducie Islands, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands. It inhabits clear lagoons and seaward reefs, generally at depths of up to around 35 metres.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Semi-Aggressive / Predatory

The Freckled Hawkfish is territorial and confident, particularly once established around a favourite perch. It can become assertive towards smaller or similarly shaped fishes and is best housed with suitably robust marine tankmates.

Any fish small enough to be swallowed should be considered potential prey.

Diet:
Carnivore

In nature, the Freckled Hawkfish feeds mainly on small fishes and crustaceans, including shrimp.

In the aquarium, offer a varied carnivorous diet including frozen mysis, krill, chopped prawn, mussel and other suitably sized marine foods. Quality carnivore pellets may also be accepted once established.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 300 litres

Its adult size of around 22 cm, territorial behaviour and active hunting style mean this species benefits from a spacious aquarium with substantial rockwork and multiple perching areas.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Freckled Hawkfish is strongly associated with reef structure and typically spends much of its time perched on prominent rocks or coral branches.

In nature, individuals regularly sit on the outer branches of corals such as Acropora, Pocillopora and Stylophora, using these elevated positions to observe their surroundings and locate prey.

It will frequently make short, rapid swimming movements before returning to a preferred perch.

Provide plenty of sturdy ledges, caves and elevated rockwork throughout the aquarium.

A secure aquarium lid is recommended, as hawkfish can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
With Caution

The Freckled Hawkfish generally leaves corals alone and is not considered a coral-feeding species.

However, it is a natural predator of small fishes and crustaceans. Ornamental shrimp, small crabs and very small reef fishes may therefore be attacked or consumed.

For this reason, it should be regarded as reef safe with caution.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with substantial rockwork, caves and prominent perching locations.

Tankmates should be large enough not to be viewed as prey and robust enough to tolerate the hawkfish’s territorial behaviour.

Small ornamental shrimp should be considered particularly vulnerable because crustaceans form an important part of the species' natural diet.

Colouration can vary considerably between individuals and can also change as the fish matures. FishBase describes yellowish individuals with a broad dark upper-body stripe and fine reddish spotting, while juveniles from different geographical areas may show noticeably different colour forms.

Good filtration, stable water quality and regular varied feeding will help maintain healthy body condition.

Suitable for:
Intermediate

Availability:
Availability can vary depending on season, collection area and supplier.

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.