The Flame Hawkfish ( Neocirrhitus armatus ) is a captivating addition to any saltwater aquarium, celebrated for its vibrant crimson color and engaging hunting behaviors. These bottom-dwelling fish are particularly well-suited to many tank environments due to their relatively small size. This comprehensive guide provides all the essential information needed to ensure the proper care and well-being of these remarkable creatures.
Introduction to the Flame Hawkfish
Also known as the Red Hawkfish or Brilliant Hawkfish, the Flame Hawkfish is native to the Indo-Pacific region. These fish are admired for their striking red-orange scales and a distinctive black stripe along their back. Flame Hawkfish are active predators that prefer to inhabit the lower levels of the aquarium, often perching on rocks and coral formations.
Key Facts About Flame Hawkfish
- Scientific Name: Neocirrhitus armatus
- Other Names: Red Hawkfish, Brilliant Hawkfish, Flame Hawk
- Reef Safe: With caution
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Size: 3-4 inches
- Care: Medium difficulty
- Diet: Carnivore
Appearance and Lifespan
The slender Flame Hawkfish is easily identifiable by its bright red-orange scales and a notable black streak running down its back. Males and females typically exhibit similar sizes and coloration, although males tend to be slightly larger. With proper care, Flame Hawkfish can live between 5 to 10 years, providing long-term enjoyment for aquarists.
Tank Setup and Environment
Tank Size
A tank of at least 30 gallons is recommended for a single Flame Hawkfish. If you plan to keep multiple hawkfish, a larger tank will be necessary to accommodate their social needs and reduce aggression.
Habitat
To properly care for your hawkfish, you’ll require a tank with plenty of rocks, ledges, caves and hiding structures. Flame Hawkfish prefer environments with ample rocks, ledges, caves, and hiding places. These structures provide perching spots and a sense of security, mimicking their natural habitat. These hawkfish can’t rely on their limited swimming ability to get them a meal or to a safe spot.
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Water Quality
Maintaining high water quality is crucial for the health of Flame Hawkfish. Regular water changes and the use of a high-quality filter are essential to prevent the buildup of harmful substances.
- Ammonia: 0 ppm
- Nitrites: 0 ppm
- Nitrates: Below 10 ppm
It is recommended to perform a water change soon after nitrates rise above 10 ppm.
Water Parameters
- Calcium: 420-440 ppm
- Alkalinity: 8-9.5 dkh (7-8 dkh if carbon dosing)
- Magnesium: 1260-1350 ppm
- Specific Gravity: 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
Acclimation
When introducing a new Flame Hawkfish to your aquarium, it is essential to follow a proper acclimation process. This involves using a quarantine tank and a separate container for acclimation. The drip method, where water from the main tank is slowly dripped into the fish's container over several hours, is highly recommended. You should never introduce a new fish to your tank without first undergoing a quarantine period. Many fish illnesses and infections like white spot disease may not be noticeable in the beginning.
Diet and Feeding
Flame Hawkfish are carnivores with a hearty appetite. They require a varied diet consisting of:
- Mysis shrimp
- Fish flesh
- Crustacean meat (still in the shell)
- Frozen mysis and brine shrimp
- Pellets and flake food
Offer the Flame Hawkfish a mixed diet of mysis shrimp and finely chopped meaty foods 4-6 times per week. Feeding should be done slowly to ensure all fish have a chance to eat, and leftover food should be avoided to prevent the rise of nitrates and phosphates. Soaking all fish food with vitamins will help keep your fish healthier and make them less susceptible to disease. We recommend soaking food in garlic as well when adding new fish and whenever your notice ich or other disease in the aquarium.
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Reef Compatibility
Flame Hawkfish are considered reef-safe with caution. Their behavior can sometimes pose a threat to certain invertebrates and corals.
- Corals: Flame Hawkfish may perch on hard and soft corals, causing them to retract or stay hidden.
- Invertebrates: They may prey on smaller invertebrates like cleaner shrimp (e.g., Peppermint Shrimp), hermit crabs, and snails.
Behavior and Compatibility
When a new Flame Hawkfish is introduced to the tank, it will typically establish a territory at the bottom. These fish spend their days observing from their chosen perch and retreat to a cave to sleep at night. They are not known for swimming in open waters.
Aggression
Flame Hawkfish are semi-aggressive and may become territorial, particularly towards other bottom-dwelling fish like blennies or gobies. Their hunting instincts may also lead them to prey on smaller fish. However, they can also exhibit peaceful behavior, sometimes intervening to break up conflicts between other fish.
Social Behavior
Hawkfish are also social creatures that enjoy living with others of their kind. You can lower the risk of your hawkfish fighting by adding them to the tank together when they’re young.
Breeding
Flame Hawkfish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they are born female and can later change to male. In the wild, these egg layers spawn in the evening or around dusk. The eggs take approximately three weeks to hatch in an ideal tank environment. Once you spot eggs, gently scoop them out and place them in a separate incubation tank. Leaving them in the same aquarium will quickly lead to them being eaten by the other fish. The fry are much more sensitive to water changes than their parents. Avoid letting your water conditions fluctuate. Flame Hawkfish can lay thousands of eggs at a time, so you don’t have to be too worried if you notice a few have passed.
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Common Health Issues
While Flame Hawkfish are generally hardy, they can be susceptible to certain diseases if water quality is poor or if infected fish or rockwork are introduced into the tank.
- Uronema: A parasitic infection that causes discolored and inflamed gills.
Maintaining high water quality and carefully examining new additions to the tank are essential for preventing disease outbreaks.
Preventing High Nitrate Levels
Maintaining low nitrate levels is crucial for the health of Flame Hawkfish. High nitrate levels can result from various factors, including:
- Overfeeding: Excess food decomposes and releases nitrates.
- Inadequate Water Changes: Infrequent water changes allow nitrates to accumulate.
- Poor Filtration: Insufficient biological filtration can lead to nitrate buildup.
- Tap Water: Tap water used for top-offs may contain nitrates.
To control nitrate levels, consider the following measures:
- Regular Water Changes: Perform water changes regularly to dilute nitrates.
- Efficient Filtration: Use a high-quality protein skimmer and biological filter.
- Careful Feeding: Avoid overfeeding and remove uneaten food promptly.
- RO Water: Use reverse osmosis (RO) water for top-offs and water changes to eliminate nitrates from the source water.