Flame Hawkfish

The Flame Hawkfish, *Neocirrhites armatus*, is a captivating and popular addition to the home aquarium. Its vibrant, fiery red body and black markings around the eyes make it an eye-catching specimen. This hardy and relatively peaceful fish is a great choice for both beginner and experienced aquarists.

A minimum tank size of 30 gallons is recommended for a single Flame Hawkfish, with larger tanks preferred for multiple individuals or mixed reef environments. Provide plenty of live rock with caves and overhangs, as they are ambush predators and enjoy perching to survey their surroundings. While generally considered reef-safe, they may occasionally nip at small ornamental shrimp or other crustaceans.

The Flame Hawkfish is a carnivore and readily accepts a varied diet of meaty foods. Offer a mix of high-quality marine pellets, frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and other frozen preparations. Feed small amounts multiple times a day.

In a home aquarium, the Flame Hawkfish typically reaches a size of around 3-4 inches. There are no readily apparent visual differences between males and females. Breeding in captivity is rare.