Neocirrhites armatus

Download Reef App on Google Play or App Store
Get it on Google Play Get it on App Store
Facts
Latin name Neocirrhites armatus - Castelnau, 1873
Local name Flame hawkfish
Family Cirrhitidae - Neocirrhites
Origin Australia, Indonesia, East Pacific, Central/West Pacific
Max length 9 cm (3.5")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 100 l (26 gal)
Hardiness Hardy
Suitable for aquarium Suitable with care
Reef safe Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness Might be aggressive towards other species
Feed
Recommended Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Mostly Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Beware of
Can be a threat to small fishes, crustaceans and other invertebrates

This species can be a threat for small fishes, crustaceans, worms, snails etc.

Small aquaria

This species can be kept in a small tank, if it is specifically equipped to meet its needs.

It is recommended however, to keep it in an aquarium which is larger then described above.

Keep in mind
Looses colour in the aquarium

In the aquarium the colour of this species can become matte.

Food with plenty of pigment and generally a varied diet of high quality can help alleviate colour loss.

Personality

This species often has a fun and interesting personality.

Can coexist as a pair

They can live as a pair provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Hermaphroditic

This species can change gender from female to male.

When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.

Can be aggressive

This species can be aggressive when kept together with fish that are very similar, or if they are not provided with adequate space.

Descriptions and further reading
Family description (Cirrhitidae)

Hawkfish stay still and wait for food most of the time, they are therefore suitable for smaller aquaria.

One must be aware that Hawkfishes can be very aggressive.

Very aggressive genera
The very aggressive species will sometimes attack many different types of fish, even the ones that are larger than themselves.

Cirrhitops
Cirrhitus
Paracirrhtes

Semi aggressive genera
The semi aggressive species are most threatening towards fish whose behaviour mimcks their own, and fish which are introduced after they have settled in.

Cirrhitichthys

Less aggressive genera
The less aggressive species are rarely threatening towards fish that which do not resemble them.

Cyprinocirrhites
Neocirrhites
Oxycirrhites


Larger Hawkfishes might eat small fish, shrimps etc. in the aquarium. Species of the Cyprinocirrhites and Neocirrhites genera are least likely to eat shrimps etc.

Hawkfish do not place many demands on their surroundings or water quality, as they are fairly hardy.

It is possible to keep several Hawkfish together, but sometimes they will suddenly begin to fight after some time in the aquarium.
This may be due to them changing gender so one can end up with two males.

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Pacific Ocean: Ryukyu Islands to the Line Islands and Mangaréva, south to the Great Barrier Reef and the Austral Islands; Caroline, Mariana, and the Wake islands in Micronesia.
Danish common names Rød falkefisk
English common names Flame hawkfish
References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2001. Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: v. 2 (Reef Fishes) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
James W. Fatherree. The Hawkfishes - Reefs Magazine - (English)
Bob Fenner. Hawkfishes, Family Cirrhitidae Part IPart IIPart III - Wet Web Media - (English)