Neocirrhites armatus Castelnau, 1873
Flame hawkfish
Neocirrhites armatus
photo by Muséum-Aquarium de Nancy/B. Alenda

Family:  Cirrhitidae (Hawkfishes)
Max. size:  9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m
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.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 10-10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13-13; Anal spines: 3-3; Anal soft rays: 6-7
Biology:  Common along surge-swept reef fronts and submarine terraces to a depth of about 11 m. Usually seen hiding among branches of live corals (Stylophora mordax, Pocillopora elegans, P. eydouxi, or P. verrucosa). Retreats deep into the coral when approached (Ref. 9710). Feeds on small crustaceans (Ref. 89972). Oviparous, monogamous (Ref. 52884). Highly priced aquarium fish, requires well-oxygenated water and fades in captivity (Ref. 37816).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 March 2015 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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