Flame Hawkfish

Neocirrhites armatus

It perches on coral like a hawk on a fence post, propped on its thick side fins, then pounces on anything small that swims by.

A semi-aggressive saltwater fish that grows to 9 cm, lives near the bottom and needs 24–27 °C, pH 8.0–8.4 and an aquarium of at least 100 L.

Care at a glance

Water

Saltwater

Temperature

24–27 °C (75–81 °F)

pH

8.0–8.4

Adult size

9 cm (3.5 in)

Aquarium

100 L or bigger (26 US gal)

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

Group size

Fine on its own

Swims

Bottom

Diet

Carnivore

Wild home

Coral heads of the western Pacific

Good to know

• Eats invertebrates. Hunts shrimp, snails and crabs.
• Hardy. Tolerates less-than-perfect water. Great for beginners.

Tank mates

Good company: Banggai Cardinalfish, Copperband Butterflyfish, Coral Beauty, Foxface Rabbitfish, Green Chromis, Ocellaris Clownfish, Peppermint Angelfish, Regal Angelfish, Royal Gramma, Seahorse.

Will eat: Blue-Leg Hermit Crab, Harlequin Shrimp, Skunk Cleaner Shrimp.

Eaten by: Clown Triggerfish, Lantern Anglerfish, Lionfish, Snowflake Moray.

Attacked by: Clown Triggerfish.

Eats the newborn fry of: Banggai Cardinalfish, Green Chromis, Neon Goby, Ocellaris Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Seahorse, Yellowtail Damselfish.

Colours

• Classic uncommon

The care values are the ones Aquarius uses, based on how these animals live. Tank mates follow the game's rules: water type, temperature and pH, who can swallow whom, fin nipping, temperament and territory.