Fun Freckled Hawkfish Facts For Kids
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A freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) is a type of marine fish endemic to the tropical waters of the Indo Pacific ocean. These old world fishes have a large range map extending from the east coasts of Africa to southern Japan.
The species extends from the central coasts of Western Australia up to the northwestern coasts of west Australia.
They are commonly known by some other common names like Forster's hawkfish and black side hawkfish or black sided hawkfish. The fish is observed commonly throughout most parts of their range map.
They are also moderately common as captive fishes and are also found in aquariums including museum collections or exhibitions because of their striking appearance. In captivity, they do not necessarily require large swimming spaces.
A minimum tank size of 70 gallons (264.9 L), with water temperature varying between 72-78 F (22.2-25.5 C) provides an ideal captive habitat for the fish. They are extremely aggressive in nature and will leave no opportunity to harass new tank mates in an aquarium.
Therefore, introducing the fish species last in the order may prevent harassment of other tank mates in the aquarium. To know more about this species, keep on reading these amazing facts.
For similar content, check out ocean sunfish and rockfish facts too.
Freckled Hawkfish Interesting Facts
What type of animal is a freckled hawkfish?
A freckled hawkfish is a type of fish.
What class of animal does a freckled hawkfish belong to?
The freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) of Perciformes order and Cirrhitidae family belongs to the class Actinopterygii, the common class for all ray finned bony fishes.
How many freckled hawkfish are there in the world?
The global population of the species of freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) has not been quantified. 604 hawkfish individuals have been recorded in museums all over the world.
The population trend of these marine fishes is unknown. However, since they are usually common, it is assumed that they might have a stable population. They do not face any concerning threat that can harm their population as of yet.
Where does a freckled hawkfish live?
The freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) are old world fishes covering a large range map. They are found throughout the tropical zone of the Indo-Pacific ocean extending from the eastern coast of Africa up to the Hawaiian Islands and Australia.
They are distributed throughout the coasts of the Red Sea in the west by crossing the Indo West Pacific ocean and have reached the Hawaiian islands in the east through the eastern Indian region. They also extend from the northern coasts of Japan up to the southern parts of Australia.
What is a freckled hawkfish's habitat?
The hawkfishes are marine fishes that are found at shallow depths inside seas and oceans. The freckled hawkfish habitat includes clear lagoons near coasts and seaward coral reefs.
Most of these fishes occur at depths ranging between 3-115 ft (1-35 m). While resting these bladder less fishes sink right at the bottom of the sea and remain perched on stony coral reef lying on their pectoral fins.
Who do freckled hawkfish live with?
A freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) might appear as a solitary species since the individuals are observed to rest on corals lying on the thickened pectoral fins. In reality, these fishes live by forming small groups or harems with one freckled hawkfish male and multiple females.
These opportunistic feeders forage singly by perching on the outermost branches of the corals and waiting for their prey to arrive.
These hawkfishes are territorial and aggressive fishes. A semi aggressive to an aggressive fish community consisting of tank mates like angelfishes, rabbitfishes, and larger tangs provides an ideal environment for these hawkfishes.
How long does a freckled hawkfish live?
Different species of hawkfishes may have different life spans. However, the life span of this species is not known.
How do they reproduce?
It is a sequential hermaphrodite fish, a juvenile fish that starts its life as a female can gradually change into a male if required. Males are territorial fishes that usually breed in a small harem of females.
Each harem consists of a dominant male fish that spawns with all the females of the group. In case, the position of the dominant male is vacated, the largest freckled hawkfish female member of the group will transform its sex and become a male. Spawning in this species generally takes place at night.
The fishes spawn by floating on water and releasing several tiny eggs in the floating position. Juvenile fishes emerge from the eggs approximately after a span of three weeks.
What is their conservation status?
Freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) are listed as a species of Least Concern in the IUCN Red List. It is considered that they have an extensive range map and are visible frequently throughout their native waters.
A large number of fish actively take part in aquarium trades therefore they are sometimes fished for collection.
However, this practice does not impose a major threat as of yet and no new variety of threats have been spotted currently that may bring about changes in the hawkfish population. The species also occurs in various conserved areas throughout their range map which makes them a protected species.
Freckled Hawkfish Fun Facts
What do Freckled Hawkfish look like?
The Forster's hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) are medium sized fishes with a stout body and a round head. The most notable physical description of the fish is given by its changing body colors at different stages of life.
The color may also vary depending on the freckled hawkfish location. The juvenile fish has a brown body with yellowtail.
As it matures, their entire body becomes yellow with a dark brown band running throughout the lateral part. Small red spots are present on the side of the white head and front which look like freckles.
The juvenile specimen of Asia have reddish dorsal parts and those in Oceania are identified by golden green upperparts. The freckled hawkfish fin is made up of many spines and soft rays.
How cute are they?
Freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) are wonderful looking fishes with spectacular colors. The big eyes make them look very cute.
How do they communicate?
Paracirrhites forsteri communicate by releasing chemical cues in the water.
How big is a freckled hawkfish?
The average length of a freckled hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) is 9 in (22 cm). They are larger in size than the kelp rockfish.
How fast can a freckled hawkfish swim?
Freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) are not fast swimmers but their speed has not been determined.
How much does a freckled hawkfish weigh?
The average weight of a Forster's hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) is unknown.
What are the male and female names of the species?
The male and female species do not have any specific names. Both are known as freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri).
What would you call a baby freckled hawkfish?
A freckled hawkfish baby is called a fry.
What do they eat?
Feeding freckled hawkfishes (Paracirrhites forsteri) is easy. These carnivorous species eat small fish and crustaceans in the wild and frozen meaty foods and shrimp in captivity.
Are they dangerous?
No, they are not dangerous but have an aggressive nature which is harmful to the tank mates.
Would they make a good pet?
The Forster's hawkfish (Paracirrhites forsteri) makes a good pet since caring for them is very easy.
Did you know...
Hawkfishes lack swim bladders in their body. For this reason, they have to perch like birds on the branches of coral reefs while resting. Otherwise, they will drown if they stop swimming.
Are freckled hawkfish endangered?
Freckled hawkfishes are not endangered species. Locating these striking fishes on coral reefs is easy because of their vibrant colors. They are also found in several museum collections. Their population does not face any major threat since the species occurs in several protected sites.
How did freckled hawkfish get their name?
Paracirrhites forsteri gets its name from their hawk like hunting style. They are ambush hunters that wait for their prey lying on the outer branches of corals and reefs. When an appropriate prey like crustaceans or small fishes arrives near the coral, they swim towards it in a sudden burst of speed. This gives rise to the name hawkfish.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these African lungfish facts and monkfish facts pages.
You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable fish coloring pages.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
Moumita DuttaBachelor of Arts specializing in Journalism and Mass Communication, Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Management
A content writer and editor with a passion for sports, Moumita has honed her skills in producing compelling match reports and stories about sporting heroes. She holds a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Social Welfare and Business Management, Calcutta University, alongside a postgraduate diploma in Sports Management.
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