Are hawk fish jumpers?

MoshJosh · Feb 28, 2023

Thinking about getting an arc eye hawk fish. . . but will they jump?

Brit’s Fish · Feb 28, 2023

They definitely can be jumpers! Hawkfish are hunters and IME, when they’re after something, they swim up quickly, so I’d be worried that they’d even jump out on accident. You could get lucky but with such a beautiful fish, I wouldn’t take the chance.

bushdoc · Feb 28, 2023

Had Flame hawkfish for years, never jumped out. Longnose jumped out after 3 months, I didn’t do enough reading about it’s behavior.

vtecintegra · Feb 28, 2023

Same here. Flame has never jumped, but Longnose has. That being said, every tank should have a screen. I've learned the hard way, a couple of times.

Ocean_View · Feb 28, 2023

Might sound silly but my rule is all fish are jumpers. It just take somthing to spook the fish and they could dart out. I had my fox face jump when my son ran across the tank and lights was out. So lids are always best

resortez · Feb 28, 2023

there’s a chance of the hawk jumping. In my experience they stick more to the rocks, rock skipping from one end of the tank to another. The instances I’ve seen them shoot upwards towards the surface has been when chasing food floating at the surface, chasing a take mate to set his rank in the pecking order or when startled. Either way, I recommend a lid because several types of fish will jump, goby, wrasse, blennies, anthias, chromis & others, plus it will save in replenishing evaporated water.

Tired · Feb 28, 2023

Any fish capable of jumping (i.e. anything other than seahorses, basically) can jump. A lid saves your fish from a slow, unnecessary death.

Reeflix · Feb 28, 2023

MoshJosh said:
Thinking about getting an arc eye hawk fish. . . but will they jump?

yes most definitly. i have had an arc eye so i know. when i would open up the lid for his food i would have to put my hand over the tank cuz he got excited pretty easy

USMA36 · Feb 28, 2023

Yes I’ve had a few long nose hawk fish over the years and have lost 2 to jumping. I have kids but they always fine the smallest gap.

Jedi_Master · Jun 18, 2023

Lost my Longnose Hawkfish last night. I did a water change and had to move a piece of live rock. Must have spooked him. Heard my fish net move slightly next to the tank before I went to bed but didn’t think anything out it….landed right into the fishnet! Lid was ordered but hasn’t arrived yet. At least it wasn’t the black storm clownfish! Sorry for your loss, I feel your pain!