Flame Hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
Price range: $60.99 through $79.99
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Stock | 2 - 3" - Central Pacific | Original price was: $150.99.$60.99Current price is: $60.99. |
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| In Stock | 2" or smaller - Central Pacific | Original price was: $150.99.$79.99Current price is: $79.99. |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Flame Hawkfish (Neocirrhites armatus) is a compact Pacific reef fish with a bright red body and darker markings near the dorsal fin and eyes. Instead of cruising open water, it spends much of the day “perched” on rock ledges, coral branches, and even aquarium equipment, watching the tank and waiting for food to drift by. It’s often chosen for its interactive, in-your-face behavior in reef aquariums.
What You’ll Observe:
- Picking a favorite “lookout” spot and returning to it often
- Short hops and quick darts between perches rather than long swims
- Tracking activity outside the glass and watching you during maintenance
- A fast, direct feeding response once it recognizes feeding time
- Regularly sitting on rockwork with fins braced like little legs
To succeed, provide a 30-gallon or larger tank with plenty of stable live rock, caves, and ledges for perching. Offer a variety of meaty foods (like mysis and other marine frozen preparations) so it can eat confidently from the water column or near its perch. A secure lid or mesh top helps keep adventurous jumpers where they belong.
Will it eat cleaner shrimp or small ornamental shrimp?
Many hobbyists report hawkfish may hunt shrimp, especially smaller varieties; the best outcomes tend to be in larger, rock-filled tanks where shrimp have strong hiding zones.
Why does my Flame Hawkfish keep perching on a coral (like a toadstool)?
Perching is normal behavior; adding an appealing alternate perch (like a magnetic frag rack or a high rock ledge) often redirects where it chooses to sit.
Is it normal for it to look pale right after the lights come on?
Yes—keepers commonly report brief color shifting around lighting changes, with normal color returning shortly after it settles.
My new Flame Hawkfish ignores food—what usually works first?
Try offering small meaty items (mysis or finely chopped seafood) near its favorite perch, then expand variety once it starts taking bites consistently.
Can I keep two Flame Hawkfish together?
Some keepers have success with a carefully introduced pair, but most still choose a single specimen to keep day-to-day behavior predictable.
We work with trusted suppliers who keep our specimens healthy and well-fed before shipping.
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