Flame Hawk

Biosecurity Shipping Limitations apply

Shipping Allowed?

About Flame Hawkfish

The Flame Hawkfish is a striking marine fish recognised for its brilliant red to scarlet body, darker markings around the eyes and distinctive hawkfish shape. Its intense colouration makes it a fantastic feature fish for marine and reef aquariums.

Flame Hawkfish are active and confident fish that spend much of their time perched on rocks and coral structures, watching the aquarium before making quick movements between perches. Their bold personality makes them one of the most entertaining hawkfish to keep.

They are generally hardy and adaptable but can become territorial and aggressive towards other hawkfish and similarly shaped fish. Plenty of rockwork, caves and elevated perching areas helps establish territories.

Flame Hawkfish are carnivorous and readily accept frozen and prepared foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and marine pellets.

They are generally reef compatible with corals, but their predatory nature means small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans may be at risk.

Quick Care Guide

Scientific Name: Neocirrhites armatus
Common Name: Flame Hawkfish / Flame Hawk
Family: Cirrhitidae
Type: Marine Fish / Hawkfish
Adult Size: Approximately 9–10 cm
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive / Territorial
Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
Minimum Aquarium: 100 L+
Temperature: 24–28°C
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
Diet: Carnivore
Tank Level: Bottom to Midwater / Rockwork
Reef Safe: Generally, with caution around small invertebrates
Suitable For: Marine aquariums, reef tanks and established marine community systems

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Flame Hawkfish reef safe?

Generally yes. They typically leave corals alone, but their predatory nature means small ornamental shrimp and tiny crustaceans may be eaten.

How big does a Flame Hawkfish get?

They reach approximately 9–10 cm, making them one of the smaller hawkfish species.

Can Flame Hawkfish be kept with other hawkfish?

It is generally safest to keep one Flame Hawkfish per aquarium. They can become territorial towards other hawkfish.

What do Flame Hawkfish eat?

They are carnivores and readily accept mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality marine pellets.

Do Flame Hawkfish need live rock?

Yes. Rockwork provides perching areas, shelter and territories. They particularly enjoy elevated rock structures from which they can observe the aquarium.

Common Mistakes

Keeping multiple hawkfish together
Flame Hawkfish can be highly territorial towards other hawkfish.

Keeping them with small ornamental shrimp
Their natural hunting behaviour can put small shrimp and other tiny crustaceans at risk.

Not providing enough rockwork
They spend much of their time perching on rocks and need plenty of suitable locations.

Keeping them with highly aggressive fish
Despite their confident personality, they can be stressed or bullied by significantly larger aggressive fish.

Assuming they are open-water swimmers
Flame Hawkfish spend much of their time perched on rockwork rather than continuously swimming through the water column.