Flame Hawkfish- normal?

DracoKat · Oct 14, 2016

I picked up a Flame Hawkfish earlier and he's in QT now.

I've never had one before and I am not sure what's normal with them. I know they're perching fish.

He's been in QT for about 4 hours now, and he's darting back and forth, rarely sitting still for more than a second or so. Is it normal for him to be pacing so much? He was pretty much still when I saw him at the LFS earlier.

QT has been set up this morning in prep. 0 ammonia.

Duke4Life · Oct 14, 2016

Are your lights on? I always introduce and leave off for a few hours so they have time to adjust.

DracoKat · Oct 14, 2016

it's off. though the room was a bit bright with the window. He was calmer earlier, but became darty later on.

He did eat frozen mysis earlier.

How are they through lower salinity? My LFS kept their salinity levels low and I matched their levels. wondering if I should raise it.

Salty1962 · Oct 15, 2016

Just give him a chance to settle in.

I wouldn't mess with salinity right now, just causes more stress.

DLHDesign · Oct 15, 2016

Make sure it has somewhere to rest and hide as well - like a short bit of PVC pipe or the like. Congrats on the new fish!

DracoKat · Oct 15, 2016

Thank you! I am still learning about different fish behaviors and it made me nervous seeing he wasn't just perching. Lol

eatbreakfast · Oct 15, 2016

As stated above, give him perching opportunities and time to settle in. A nervous fish is normal when first introduced to a new setting.

DracoKat · Oct 15, 2016

thanks he does have a few PVC elbows and such in the tank. He's been hanging on the heater and magnet scraper.

he was calm this morning and ate well. I feel better! I am always nervous about bringing home a fish and they won't survive the first night, especially one that isnt so cheap!

scurvy dawg · Oct 20, 2016

My flame hawkfish, I call him "Shifty", was very shy for the first few days. Once he got used to the surroundings he's perching everywhere and he's pretty nosy. By far my favorite fish.

Pugfishluv3 · Oct 20, 2016

Some just take longer to a just that's all. Ive had butterfly fish not eat for 4 days when I brought it home lol it was fine.

DracoKat · Oct 21, 2016

I had him for a week now, and he's still swimming back and forth, trying to nose his way out of the tank (trying to jump? I have the water about 4 inches low and a lid so he can't jump out)

Water is clean and good. He's eating like a pig. His color's pale. He won't sit still for more than 5 seconds at a time.

I am still concerned because I am not sure if this is a normal flame hawkfish behavior. I turned off the air stone yesterday, thinking maybe the vibration was bothering him.. he's still zipping around.

He's clearly stressed about being in a 10 gal tank, and I am sure my tiny royal gramma as a room mate isn't helping (Though they ignore each other).
I may put him in my DT this weekend, though I know 1 week is short for QT. He went through Prazipro for internal parasites already and I am seeing no signs of ich. Bad idea or leave him in QT for a while longer?

eatbreakfast · Oct 21, 2016

If he is still eating leave him in the qt.

DracoKat · Oct 21, 2016

He's a piggy! I'll leave him in for a few more weeks.

Tahoe61 · Oct 21, 2016

Perhaps try one of those tank back rounds that displays a coral scape, that may make him feel more comfortable. You can get them at most big box pet stores.

MCooper · Oct 21, 2016

Great fish with great personality! Have one in QT now as well. Really enjoy watching them.

DracoKat · Oct 21, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
Perhaps try one of those tank back rounds that displays a coral scape, that may make him feel more comfortable. You can get them at most big box pet stores.

that's a good idea, I can give that a shot.

Dr Cooper, I will let you know when he calms down lol

MCooper · Oct 21, 2016

DracoKat said:
that's a good idea, I can give that a shot.

Dr Cooper, I will let you know when he calms down lol

Best luck with him. I had one that sadly passed away on the last day of his QT. Had a nasty wound and became super pale. Hopefully this guy can make it in my QT and we will both have happy Flame Hawks in our tank soon.

MCooper · Oct 21, 2016

Wow. Went home to say hello to my wife/son and check on things and my Hawkfish was dead.
No idea why and that is the last time I will ever purchase any of my fish from ANY of the LFS here. Had a horrible run and feel since they all get them from the same supplier, something has to be up. My QT is insanely on point so I have to think something with the fish I am getting. Fish from online have so far done well. Bummer!

DracoKat · Oct 21, 2016

DrCooper said:
Wow. Went home to say hello to my wife/son and check on things and my Hawkfish was dead.
No idea why and that is the last time I will ever purchase any of my fish from ANY of the LFS here. Had a horrible run and feel since they all get them from the same supplier, something has to be up. My QT is insanely on point so I have to think something with the fish I am getting. Fish from online have so far done well. Bummer!

Oh no, I am so sorry to hear!! That's terrible

I've never had any issues with my LFS.

Can you call your LFS and see what their suppliers are and take it from there?