{"product_id":"scarlet-hawkfish-neocirrhites-armatus","title":"Scarlet Hawkfish (Neocirrhites armatus)","description":"\u003cp\u003eHawkfish don't have a swim bladder, which sounds like a design flaw until you realize what they do with that limitation: instead of swimming freely through the water column, they perch — using their thickened lower pectoral fin rays almost like tiny legs to prop themselves on a rock or coral branch and watch for food to drift by. \u003cem\u003eNeocirrhites armatus\u003c\/em\u003e, the Scarlet Hawkfish, is easily one of the most vividly colored small fish in the trade, and it spends most of its day doing exactly that from a perch in the rockwork, darting out for a meal and returning to the same spot. The behavior is equal parts endearing and effective.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt's reef safe with corals and generally peaceful toward fish, though it will treat small ornamental shrimp — peppermints, sexy shrimp, cleaner shrimp juveniles — as a snack given the chance. Its native habitat runs across the Hawaiian Islands and the broader tropical Pacific, typically in areas with substantial coral cover and moderate-to-strong current where it can perch in the flow and ambush whatever gets pushed past.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHardy once established, and one of the more forgiving small reef fish for someone stepping into saltwater for the first time. Feed frozen mysis, brine, and other meaty foods — it's a visual feeder and will take prepared foods readily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Neocirrhites armatus\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hawaiian Islands and tropical Pacific — outer reef slopes and coral-rich zones with moderate to strong current\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e Temp 72–80°F · Salinity 1.020–1.026 · pH 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank requirements:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gal minimum; needs open rockwork perches and visual sightlines\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore — frozen mysis, brine shrimp, other meaty foods; visual feeder that takes prepared foods readily\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reef safe with corals; peaceful with most fish; will eat small ornamental shrimp\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHusbandry note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide multiple elevated perching spots in the rockwork — a hawkfish without good perch options becomes stressed and reclusive. Flat rock surfaces and branching corals at mid-tank height are ideal.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"YoCamron's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Wild-Caught","offer_id":50127393652973,"sku":"SWFSH-SCARLE-HAWKFI","price":62.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/1032\/8813\/files\/lg_95558_FlameHawkfish_12db542a-f1ae-4d7c-b1c9-4e5b7634a3dd.jpg?v=1786966991","url":"https:\/\/www.yocamronsaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-hawkfish-neocirrhites-armatus","provider":"YoCamron's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}