Blackside hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri)

Scientific name: Paracirrhites forsteri Schneider, 1801

The Blackside hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) is a marine fish of the family Cirrhitidae. In the aquarium it needs water at 24–27°C (75–81°F).

Blackside hawkfish care at a glance

Temperature: 24–27°C (75–81°F)

Biology

Dorsal spines (total): 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11; Anal spines: 3; Anal soft rays: 6. Body yellowish with broad blackish stripe on upper side; head and anterior part of body with small dark reddish spots.Color changes with growth as well as varies among adults. In Oceania, juveniles are a golden green dorsally and white ventrally; in continental areas juveniles may be red dorsally. The maroon and yellow phase was originally described as a distinct species, P. typee.

Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.

Species facts

Scientific name: Paracirrhites forsteri
Family: Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-like fish)
Class: Actinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)
Maximum length: 22.0
Common length: 18.0
Depth range: 1–35 m (3–115 ft)
Environment: Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 35 m, usually 5 - 35 m
Climate: Tropical
Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian, Line, Marquesan and Ducie islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands. Unknown from the Persian and Oman gulfs.
Conservation status (IUCN): Not Evaluated
Threat to humans: Harmless
Uses: Fisheries: minor commercial; aquarium: commercial