Kingdom Animalia Genus Paracirrhites Phylum Chordata Rank Species | Family Cirrhitidae Scientific name Paracirrhites forsteri Higher classification Paracirrhites Order Perciformes | |
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Similar Paracirrhites, Hawkfish, Arc‑eye hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys, Coral hawkfish | ||
Dramatic fish black sided hawkfish
The black-sided hawkfish, freckled hawkfish or Forster's hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri), is a species of hawkfish from the Indo-Pacific. It is occasionally found in the aquarium trade and is also of minor importance to local commercial fisheries. It grows to a total length of 22 cm (9 in).
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Description
The black-sided hawkfish grows to a maximum total length of about 22 cm (9 in). The dorsal fin has 10 spines and eleven soft rays, while the anal fin has three spines and six soft rays. There is considerable variation in the colouring both among adults and as a result of changes during growth. The main colour is usually yellowish but there is a broad black or dark brown lateral band, mainly on the rear half of the body. The sides of the head and the front of the body are whitish or grey, with red speckles. In Asia, juveniles may be reddish dorsally, while in Oceania they tend to have golden-green upper parts and white underparts.
Distribution
The black-sided hawkfish is native to the tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. Its range extends from East Africa and the Red Sea to Japan, New Caledonia and Australasia. In Australia its range extends from the northwest of Western Australia round the north of the country to the border of Queensland and New South Wales. It is found on the seaward side of reefs and on soft-bottomed lagoons to depths of 30 m (100 ft) and more.
Ecology
The black-sided hawkfish is an ambush predator; it usually lies in wait on a head of coral, propped up by its stiff pectoral fins, ready to dart out at passing crustaceans or small fish. They are mainly solitary fish, but may be seen in pairs or form small harems with one dominant male and several females. Like other members of the family, it is a sequential hermaphrodite; adults start life as females but the largest female in a group changes sex to a male if the position is vacated.