Flame Hawkfish

Brilliant Red Hawkfish

Family: CirrhitidaeNeocirrhites armatus

   The Flame Hawkfish or Brilliant Red Hawkfish is a rather shy fish that does not adapt well to captivity. Their pretty color makes them sell well in pet shops even though they are usually expensive.

   They are best suited to a reef environment. The Flame Hawkfish or Brilliant Red Hawkfish are difficult to acclimate and need constantly moving well oxygenated water. It is probably best to stay away from this fish unless you are an experienced marine aquarist.

For more Information on keeping marine fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance difficulty:    The Flame Hawkfish or Brilliant Red Hawkfish is hard to keep. They need very clean, oxygen-rich water, that is constantly moving. Reefs are an ideal situation for this fish.

Maintenance:    The hawkfish are carnivores. They do well on a diet which includes all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. Best to feed small amounts several times a day. Brine shrimp is the staple diet for these small carnivorous fish.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:    Flame Hawkfish or Brilliant Red Hawkfish are found in the western Pacific, from Japan to Australia. They are usually seen hiding among branches of live corals (Stylophora mordax, Pocillopora elegans, P. eydouxi, or P. verrucosa). Retreats deep into the coral when approached.

Foods:    All kinds of meaty foods from small fish and invertebrates; crustaceans.

Social Behaviors:    Found singly on the reef with one male presiding over a territory that will include 2 to 7 females. In the ocean they are seen hiding among branches of coral.

Sex: Sexual differences:    The male is usually larger.

Breeding/Reproduction    Oviparous, monogamous. They exhibit typical Hawkfish courtship and spawning. See general breeding behavior for Hawkfish in the Breeding Marine Fish page.

Light: Recommended light levels:    No special requirements.

Temperature:    Hawkfish should be kept at temperatures between 75 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:    Flame Hawkfish or Brilliant Red Hawkfish adults can grow to 7.5 cm (3.0 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:    A minimum 20 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong    Likes constantly moving well oxygenated water.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom    Usually spends most of its' time on coral outcroppings near the bottom.

Availability:    This fish is occasionaly available and is generally expensive. It is observed that the brilliant red color will fade in captivity.

Available From These Merchants

• Neocirrhites armatus : $44.99

Flame Hawkfish Neocirrhites Armatus Offered By: That Pet Place Price: $44.99

Lastest Animal Stories on Flame Hawkfish View all 15 Animal Stories on Flame Hawkfish Add Your Animal Story

Berry Family Dentistry - 2011-10-13 We have had our Flamehawk for at least twelve years and she's still going strong. Reply

john - 2003-08-07 I have had no problems with my Flame Hawkfish.He has been in my tank for three months and has adapted well to frozen foods and aquariam life. Reply

Stephan Holland - 2003-09-03 I am just getting back into saltwater fishkeeping after about 12 years. I now live in Guam and have been able to see many of the fish I used to own in their natural environment, including this guy! The flamehawk was my favorite fish when fishkeeping. Like any fish, pay a lot of attention to the individual when purchasing. My flame hawk had a great personality and was not shy at all. He would track your movements as you walked around the room, and if you tapped your finger in a corner of the tank, he would come down to investigate. This outwardness was noticeable at the store, so choose carefully! Reply

Sad Flame Hawk Owner - 2006-09-18 The Flame Hawk is my favorite fish. I've had 6 Flame Hawks in the past. All but one jumped out of my tank. Sadly I was never home to save them. Because of the jumping I've stopped buying Flame Hawks that was until last week. I was at the pet shop saw the cutest little Flame Hawk swushing about the tank. I paid alot of money for the fish and am sad to say I think this Flame Hawk is not going to live long. IT IS NOT EATING. It doesn't seem to be afraid in the tank. Its swimming all about the tank and none of the other fish are bothering it. I'm feeding or trying to feed Brine Shrimp and flake food. The Flame Hawk just keeps getting hit on the head with the food. ~Sad Flame Hawk Owner Mark - 2011-01-09 I wish I had read your piece earlier, bought my flame hawk fish 6 hours ago, as I was reading your article couldn't find my fish, there it was dead on the floor. Reply

Dave - 2010-06-26 Great fish. The very first fish I ever purchased. He eats great and gets along with his tank mates awesome. Has a great personality and will show off in front of the tank if he knows you are anywhere around to get your attention and feed him. I did try to add some peppermint shrimp one time and he ate all four of them. I feed him all kinds of different frozen foods and live black molly babies. Reply

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