joejstutes
Active Member
I have a hawkfish that seems to turn almost 90 percent white but the color does come back but not fully as red as your typical hawkfish. Not sure why this is happening but if anyone could help I would be very greatful.
Hawkfish Help
- Thread starter joejstutes
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Does it change to white when the lights go out?
joejstutes
Active Member
I’m actually waiting on my lights to get here for my tank so only half of it is lit with a deep water blue current light bar.
joejstutes
Active Member
He only zips across the tank when he’s eating and he eats like a hog. Eyes look good no clear or glossy look. Parameters look good except my nitrate is between 40 and 50
How long has he been in the tank, faded color can sometimes be indicative of internal parasites. So keep an eye out for stringy poo and watch that his appetite doesn't wain, or he gets overly voracious.
joejstutes
Active Member
He has been in the tank in my house for 3 weeks but he was already in this tank when I purchased it from the last owner for at least 6 months but possibly longer. He is the sole survivor of the four fish that where in the tank from the last owner. So right now he is all alone in a 90 gallon tank with a fire shrimp and cleaner shrimp. Definitely watching him closely.
joejstutes
Active Member
Thank you guys I’m going to add some more light
Flame2hawk
Valuable Member
How are your parameters? I have 2 flame hawks and one of them was not as red as the other. I found that high nitrates effected one but not the other. They are both ruby red now. The on flamehawk has now become the “canary in the mining cave” if you know what I mean. (Perhaps I’m dating myself!).
joejstutes
Active Member
My nitrates are high. Like 40 or 50 so I’m doing a couple of small water changes in my 90 gallon.
ThRoewer
Valuable Member
Coloration of reef fish has a lot to do with environmental factors. If there are no colorful corals or at least rocks with lots of coralline fish may fade in their colors to blend in.
And you also have the bachelor-effect (getting sloppy with looks) with single fish if there are no mates to impress. Hawkfish are some of the easier fish to pair as they change sex both ways. Males have more black than females and often also a more vibrant red.
And you also have the bachelor-effect (getting sloppy with looks) with single fish if there are no mates to impress. Hawkfish are some of the easier fish to pair as they change sex both ways. Males have more black than females and often also a more vibrant red.
Squidward
Valuable Member
I have no idea but I do see lighter colored ones at the LFS once every now and then. I avoid them. I got a pair from divers den. They have always been deep dark red. No faded colors ever.
Zionas
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I would get a Hawkfish but worried about them eating shrimp and snails. Don’t want to lose any Pistol Shrimp which would also cause lots of stress to Yellow Watchmen Gobies. Love Hawkfish but so worried about getting one.
Squidward
Valuable Member
My pair never bothered my cleaner or skunk shrimps. Never bothered my trochus, turban, or bumble bee snails either. Pistol shrimp tend to be smaller so I'm not sure about them.
ThRoewer
Valuable Member
Hawkfish don't eat snails.
ThRoewer
Valuable Member
Pistol shrimp are usually in their burrow and not easy prey. So I would think they are less likely to be eaten by hawkfish.
Cleaner shrimp are a different story. The hawkfish I had in the past ate at lest 2.
The only hawkfish, aside from the tiny ones, I would deem safe for fish and ornamental shrimp is the Longnose Hawkfish (Oxycirrhites typus).
