Blackside Hawkfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Indo-Pacific, widely distributed from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian and Line Islands. Found on seaward reefs, perching on branches of hard corals at depths of 1 to 35 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Cirrhitidae. Strong, compact body built for launching attacks. Grows up to 22 cm in length.

Social Behavior: Bold, highly territorial, and predatory. Dominates lower and middle areas of the tank, defending its perching sites from other fish.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Head is yellow, orange, or pink covered with small reddish-black spots. Posterior body is brown to black with a broad yellowish or white lateral stripe. No sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Minimum tank volume of 250 liters. Requires secure, sturdy rockwork and robust branching corals to provide elevated perches.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivore. Feeds on fish and crustaceans. Feed frozen krill, mysis, chopped clams, table shrimp, and large pellets. Feed 2 times daily.

Water Quality: Highly adaptable. Maintain standard marine parameters: temperature 22-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.020-1.025.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Will eat any small fish and ornamental crustaceans. Keep with large, active tankmates such as tangs, large angelfish, and groupers.

Aquarium Breeding: Protogynous hermaphrodite. Spawns pelagically in pairs at dusk. Not successfully bred in home aquaria.

Risks and Diseases: High jumping risk; a tight lid is necessary. Robust and highly disease-resistant.