CIRRHITIDAE Paracirrhites forsteri, 7.0 cm SL (photo by Ukkrit Satapoomin) Paracirrhites forsteri (photo by Mark Strickland) Paracirrhites forsteri (Schneider, 1801) Blackside Hawkfish D X, 11; A III, 6; P1 14; LLp 45-49. Body oblong. Snout short; mouth large, maxilla reaching posterior to a vertical at center of eye; upper margin of preopercle finely serrate. A continuous dorsal fin notched between spinous and soft portions, a single cirrus from membrane near tip of each dorsalfin spine; 7 lower rays of pectoral fins unbranched and thickened. Lateral line continuous; 5 rows of scales between lateral line and spinous portion of dorsal fin. 5-6 rows of large scales on cheek, in addition to small scales. Color: yellowish with a faint longitudinal dark banding following scale rows; usually a broad blackish band on upper side from below middle of dorsal fin nearly to middle of caudal fin; region below black band usually yellow; head, nape, and thorax with small brownish red spots. Size: maximum length about 22 cm, commonly to 18 cm. Distribution: Indo-Pacific, from East Africa and Red Sea to the islands of Oceania, including Hawaii and the Pitcairn Group. Remarks: coral-reef associated species, often observed sitting on live coral. Feeds mainly on small fishes.