Freckled Hawkfish, Paracirrhites forsteri (Schneider, 1801)

Scientific name: Paracirrhites forsteri
Alternative name/s:
Blackside Hawkfish, Forster's Hawkfish
Freckled Hawkfish, Paracirrhites forsteri Click to enlarge image
A Freckled Hawkfish at a depth of 10m, Lady Elliot Island, Queensland. Image: Richard Vevers
© Richard Vevers

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Paracirrhites
    Species
    forsteri
    Family
    Cirrhitidae
    Order
    Perciformes
    Class
    Actinopterygii
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    The species grows to 22 cm in length.

Introduction

Freckled Hawkfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific.It can be recognised by its colouration, which is pale to yellowish above and has a dark brown to black stripe on the posterior region of the body.

Identification

Freckled Hawkfish can be recognised by its colouration. It is pale to yellowish above and has a dark brown to black stripe on the posterior region of the body. The cheeks are grey to white with red spots.

Distribution

Freckled Hawkfish occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo-Pacific. In Australia it is known from the central Western Australian coast to the offshore islands of north-western Western Australia and from northern Queensland to southern New South Wales.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

Other behaviours and adaptations

Like most other hawfishes, Freckled Hawkfish is usually seen on coral heads, resting on its thickened lower pectoral fin rays. It is a lie-and-wait predator that preys upon fishes and crustaceans.

References

  1. Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
  2. Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
  3. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  4. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
  5. Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.