Fish
Flame Hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus · also called flame hawk
Glowing an intense red-orange against the pale branches of its coral home, a flame hawkfish darts out briefly to snatch a small crustacean before retreating right back into the safety of the coral it rarely strays far from.
Overview
The flame hawkfish, Neocirrhites armatus, is native to ocean and coastal reef habitat across the Indo-Pacific region. Its intensely vivid red-orange colouring, close dependence on branching coral for shelter, and manageable size and temperament make it one of the most popular and visually striking small hawkfish species kept by aquarium enthusiasts.
A colour that doubles as a warning to stay close
The flame hawkfish’s vivid colouring makes it one of the most visible fish on the reef, a visibility it offsets entirely by staying within a quick dart of its sheltering coral home at nearly every moment.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable reef habitat throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Flame Hawkfish: common questions
Why is it called the flame hawkfish?
It displays an intensely bright, uniform red-orange colour across almost its entire body, an appearance vivid enough to inspire its common name.
Why does the flame hawkfish stay so close to coral?
It lives closely associated with a branching coral head, using the coral's structure as both shelter and a quick retreat whenever a predator or other threat appears.
Is the flame hawkfish popular in aquariums?
Yes, it is valued in the aquarium trade for its striking colour combined with a relatively manageable size and temperament compared to some other hawkfish species.
Where is the flame hawkfish found?
It is native to ocean and coastal reef habitat across the Indo-Pacific region.