Why does my Flame Hawkfish just sit on the rocks?

This is completely normal behaviour. Hawkfish lack a swim bladder, the organ most fish use to maintain buoyancy. Instead, they perch on rocks and corals, waiting to dart out at passing food.

Is the Flame Hawkfish safe to keep with corals?

Yes, they are generally considered reef-safe as they do not eat or nip at corals. However, they may occasionally irritate some sensitive large-polyp stony (LPS) corals by frequently perching on them.

Will a Flame Hawkfish eat my cleaner shrimp?

There is a very high risk. Hawkfish are predatory by nature and often view small ornamental crustaceans, including small cleaner and peppermint shrimp, as a natural food source.

Can I keep more than one Flame Hawkfish together?

It is generally not recommended unless you can acquire a confirmed mated pair. In the confines of a standard aquarium, two hawkfish of the same species will often fight viciously over territory.

Why did my Flame Hawkfish jump out of the tank?

Hawkfish are notorious for their sudden, darting movements, especially when startled or when enthusiastically chasing food. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is absolutely essential to prevent them from jumping out.

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Flame Hawkfish

Neocirrhites armatus

A striking, bright red benthic fish celebrated for its quirky habit of perching on corals and observing the aquarium with independently moving eyes.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 24 – 28 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.023 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 7 – 9 cm
Minimum for a single adult: 115 litres+
Lifespan: 5 – 10 years
Diet: Carnivore
Water flow: Moderate to strong
Preferred setup: Abundant live rock with horizontal ledges or branching corals for perching. A tight-fitting lid is essential.

About the Flame Hawkfish

The Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhites armatus) is a captivating and highly sought-after species in the marine aquarium trade, immediately recognisable by its brilliant red colouration and expressive, independently moving eyes. Lacking a functional swim bladder, it has evolved to spend its days perched upon rockwork and coral branches, observing its surroundings with keen interest. Its comical darting movements and curious personality make it a true character in the home aquarium. While generally hardy and adaptable, its predatory nature towards small invertebrates must be carefully considered when planning a community tank.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Flame Hawkfish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Flame Hawkfish comes from

Native range

Western Pacific Ocean, Central Pacific Ocean

Countries / regions

Australia, Japan, Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia

Habitat

Surge zones and outer reef faces, strongly associated with branching corals like Pocillopora and Stylophora.

Commonly distributed throughout the tropical Pacific where suitable surge zone habitats and branching corals exist.

Similar species

Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
Arc-eye Hawkfish
Paracirrhites arcatus
Falco Hawkfish
Cirrhitichthys falco

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Large, active, and occupies the water column, completely ignoring the benthic hawkfish.
Great
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Generally occupies a distinct territory near its host anemone or preferred corner, leading to peaceful cohabitation.
Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Dwarf angelfish are robust enough to disregard the hawkfish's territorial displays over perches.
Great
Fire Dartfish
Nemateleotris magnifica
Passive dartfish can be easily startled by the hawkfish's sudden, darting movements, potentially causing them to hide or jump.
Compatible with caution
Peppermint Shrimp
Lysmata boggessi
Hawkfish are opportunistic predators of small crustaceans; delicate shrimp will quickly be eaten.
Not recommended
Longnose Hawkfish
Oxycirrhites typus
Highly intolerant of other hawkfish species and will fiercely compete for the same perching spots.
Not recommended

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