Glossary:
The Flame hawkfish (Neocirrhitus armatus) is a vibrant fish with a unique red and orange coloration that can add warm coloring to your tank. They’re also entertaining to watch and can make a great fish to care for with the right setup.
Here we’ll explore this fish and help you determine whether you should add the Flame hawkfish to your saltwater aquarium.
The fact is that the Flame hawkfish can be reef-safe, but it depends on the specific setup you have for your tank. They’re carnivorous and will eat many meaty foods, but you don’t have to worry about them going after your coral. On the other hand, they like to hide and may brush up against and cause damage to coral as a result.
This species also tends to go after invertebrates, including cleaner inverts that protect fish. So, you may need to ensure there’s enough food to keep your fish full so they don’t go after other invertebrates you’d rather keep.
As a carnivore, the Flame hawkfish needs plenty of meaty foods to sustain it. You can feed this fish a wide variety of foods, including everything from Mysis shrimp and other crustaceans to smaller fish. However, you might need to deal with some pickiness with this species—they can be difficult to please, requiring you to experiment a bit before you find the right food. Without sufficient food, you’ll have a difficult time keeping the fish’s bright red-orange color going.
Here are a few interesting facts to know about the Flame hawkfish:
The Flame hawkfish price will vary depending on the rarity, location, and size of the fish, but they can get pricey. You can find this fish on the market for around $40 to $80 on average, but they can cost as much as $100 or more in some cases.
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Hawkfish, including Flame hawkfish, are territorial, but they tend to simply scare each other off without getting into a fight. Generally, you’re better off avoiding keeping two or more hawkfish of any kind together unless they’re members of a breeding pair.
Flame hawkfish are hardy and will hold up to changes in their environment well, which is why they’re a popular fish to add to many aquariums.
A Flame hawkfish doesn’t need too much space to flourish, with this species typically requiring a tank of at least 30 gallons or larger with ample live rock.
When considering Flame hawkfish, it’s important to consider the fact that they’re bottom feeders. As such, they won’t get along well with other bottom-feeding fish, including their own kind.
If you’re looking for the ideal tank mates for a Flame hawkfish, the following are some good options to consider:
The Flame hawkfish is widely available at many aquarium stores. The following are some of the online stores where you’ll find this fish:
The Flame hawkfish is a great specimen to keep as an aquarist, but there are some caveats to keep in mind. Knowing what to look out for with this particular species can help you decide whether to add it to your tank.