Bully Flame Hawkfish

[Drewb628]

Hey Everyone!

About 3.5 weeks ago I added a Flame Hawkfish, and Diamond Goby to my tank. 55 Gallon reef tank with 2 clown fish and a small hippo tang. Everything was going well until about a week ago. I noticed that the clown fish had their fins torn. I thought maybe they were fighting each other but was worried because they had always been pretty passive. I finally noticed last night that it is the Hawkfish that is bullying the clowns. It seems to only happen at night as well which is why I hadn't noticed it yet. He doesn't bother with the goby or the tang (probably because he is smaller).

Any suggestions? I'm slightly worried about my clowns because they are a non aggressive pair of maroon clowns, and I would hate to lose one from this. I read somewhere that adding in more live rock may help. He seems to perch on the equipment towards the top of the water, and not on the rock itself so I was thinking that may actually help. Worst case I have to trade him in, but hoping there are other options first.

Thanks!

 

[Eleni18]

Adding rock and hiding places is one option. Other options include sticking a mirror in a corner of the tank so the bully sees his reflection, partitioning the tank for a while, or putting the bully in an acclimation box, so he can see but not hurt the clowns. The last option if nothing works is to trade him

 

[MichaelReefer]

I want a Flame HawkFish so bad, but I am worried about him bullying my Gobys. Had to hold off for now. If they ever kick the bucket I am goin to get one.

 

[Drewb628]

I want a Flame HawkFish so bad, but I am worried about him bullying my Gobys. Had to hold off for now. If they ever kick the bucket I am goin to get one.

I was worried about him and the goby which is why I decided to introduce them together. Threw me for a loop when it's the clownfish he decided to go after.

 

[Drewb628]

Adding rock and hiding places is one option. Other options include sticking a mirror in a corner of the tank so the bully sees his reflection, partitioning the tank for a while, or putting the bully in an acclimation box, so he can see but not hurt the clowns. The last option if nothing works is to trade him

I will try the mirror first! I forgot that can help with aggression. I have some extra live rock I can put in if that doesn't help. Thanks for the help!

 

[Potatohead]

Established clowns are always somewhat aggressive, I added a flame hawk to my tank a while back and my male clown and the flame had some small battles for a couple weeks. Now they get along fine unless the hawk gets too close to the male clowns home in which case he just chases him away a bit.

 

[Cherub]

I am a proud owner of a fish trap, because I bought a flame hawk. I should make this into a t-shirt...

 

[AfaceInTheCrowd]

When that female maroon reaches full size the hawk better run haha

 

[gotmesalty77]

Hey Everyone!

About 3.5 weeks ago I added a Flame Hawkfish, and Diamond Goby to my tank. 55 Gallon reef tank with 2 clown fish and a small hippo tang. Everything was going well until about a week ago. I noticed that the clown fish had their fins torn. I thought maybe they were fighting each other but was worried because they had always been pretty passive. I finally noticed last night that it is the Hawkfish that is bullying the clowns. It seems to only happen at night as well which is why I hadn't noticed it yet. He doesn't bother with the goby or the tang (probably because he is smaller).

Any suggestions? I'm slightly worried about my clowns because they are a non aggressive pair of maroon clowns, and I would hate to lose one from this. I read somewhere that adding in more live rock may help. He seems to perch on the equipment towards the top of the water, and not on the rock itself so I was thinking that may actually help. Worst case I have to trade him in, but hoping there are other options first.

Thanks!

I bought one years ago with my first tank. It became the bane of my existence. I believe he was the murderer of at least 5 diamond gobys. He would go after nearly everything and i couldnt catch him for nothing. Ill never buy one again. i hope you have much better luck than i do and that your find a speed resolution to your plight!