{"product_id":"black-sided-hawkfish-paracirrhites-forsteri","title":"Black-Sided Hawkfish | Paracirrhites forsteri","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA larger, bolder hawkfish with strong colour and attitude to match, the Black-Sided Hawkfish perches and pounces from the rockwork. Characterful, but keep it away from small fish and shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild it occupies coral-rich reef zones where it can sit on high vantage points and ambush small prey. It is often associated with coral heads, rocky ledges and areas with strong structure. Its natural range includes Indo-Pacific coral reefs, lagoons and outer reef slopes. In the aquarium, this means the fish should be given stable saltwater, excellent oxygenation and a reef structure with several perching points. Hawkfish do not need open swimming space in the same way as tangs or wrasse, but they do need clear territory, hiding areas and elevated resting spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBlack-Sided Hawkfish has the strong head, alert eyes and sturdy pectoral fins typical of hawkfish. These fins allow the fish to rest on rockwork and launch quickly after food. Adult size is generally 18–22 cm. Healthy specimens should show clear eyes, intact fins, a full body and confident response to food. Their behaviour is often as appealing as their colour, as they appear to watch movement outside the aquarium and quickly learn feeding routines.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as Semi-aggressive to aggressive, especially toward small fish and shrimp. Hawkfish are not schooling fish and are normally kept singly unless a proven pair or suitable group arrangement is specifically intended. They are often fine with robust reef fish such as clownfish, tangs, wrasse, dwarf angels with caution, larger gobies, blennies and rabbitfish. They can intimidate tiny timid fish and may prey on small shrimp, especially sexy shrimp, small cleaner shrimp, anemone shrimp or newly added crustaceans. They are not usually a threat to coral tissue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is a carnivore and should be fed a varied diet including Carnivore; chopped seafood, prawn, krill, mysis shrimp, squid and meaty marine pellets. Most hawkfish adapt well to aquarium foods and quickly become eager feeders. Offer small portions once or twice daily, with food pieces sized appropriately for the mouth. Frozen mysis and chopped prawn are excellent staples, while quality pellets help maintain easy long-term feeding. Avoid relying on one food only, as variety supports colour, weight and immune strength.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium size of 300 L, with 450 L or larger recommended for long-term housing, larger individuals or busy community aquariums. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.024–1.026. Moderate to strong reef flow is suitable, but include calmer perches where the fish can rest without being blasted by pumps. Lighting can match the reef system; the fish itself does not require specialised lighting. Use strong biological filtration, quality protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% as required to keep nutrients stable. Aquascaping should include ledges, caves and branching structures. Special care should be taken with open-top tanks, as startled hawkfish can jump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is rarely achieved in home aquariums. Successful reproduction would require compatible adults, spawning observation and dedicated planktonic larval rearing. In the wild, many hawkfish have complex social behaviour and may spawn around dusk. For normal aquarium keeping, breeding should be considered unlikely, and the main goal should be stable water, suitable tank mates and steady feeding. If courtship or pairing behaviour is observed, avoid unnecessary disruption and maintain excellent water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParacirrhites forsteri\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBlack-Sided Hawkfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific coral reefs, lagoons and outer reef slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–22 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–10 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSemi-aggressive to aggressive, especially toward small fish and shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e300 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e450 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; chopped seafood, prawn, krill, mysis shrimp, squid and meaty marine pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.024–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine aquariums, fish-only systems and reef aquariums with suitable tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe with caution; coral safe but predatory toward small crustaceans and tiny fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, tangs, rabbitfish, larger gobies, blennies, wrasse, dwarf angelfish with caution, cardinalfish that are not tiny, larger dottybacks and other robust community marine fish. Choose tank mates that are too large to be swallowed and confident enough to feed well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with very small fish, delicate timid species, tiny ornamental shrimp, sexy shrimp, small anemone shrimp, newly added nano gobies, aggressive predators that may eat the hawkfish, or multiple hawkfish in small aquariums unless compatibility is known.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351895982371,"sku":"AA3438-S","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55227120386339,"sku":"AA3438","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351896015139,"sku":"AA3438-L","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-22cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351896047907,"sku":"AA3438-XL","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562742694179,"sku":"AA3438-S-IMP","price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562742726947,"sku":"AA3438-M-IMP","price":35.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562742759715,"sku":"AA3438-L-IMP","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-22cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562742792483,"sku":"AA3438-XL-IMP","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/black-sided-hawkfish-paracir-43090650595619.webp?v=1790305346","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/black-sided-hawkfish-paracirrhites-forsteri","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}