I have my eye on a gorgeous little hawkfish at my LFS (I think its a Falco). However, I'm reluctant to buy him because I know they have a reputation for eating small fish and inverts that get too close. I have a number of smaller crabs and snails, as well as a yellow clown goby who is my absolute favorite fish that I have in my tank. I would hate for the new fish to put an end to any of them. So my question is, is this reputation justified? Or could I introduce the new hawk and potentially have no fish come up missing?
Hawkfish?
- Thread starter Parker
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I think you answered your own question by saying "inwould hate for the new fish to put an end to them".
There are many friendly fish out there. I also have a yellow coral goby.
There are many friendly fish out there. I also have a yellow coral goby.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
I find that the reputation of many hawkfish is overstated. Falco and flame hawks aren't very predatory toward most commonly kept fish and inverts. Sexy shrimp might be on the menu, but most cuc isn't, and most predators avoid eating clown gobies as they produce a noxious slime coat when irritated.
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
My arceye hawkfish was the spawn of Satan. This is only one fish but he was able to somehow eat gobies and blennies roughly his size. Very very aggressive as well. Beautiful fella but after a few years my affinity for him drew to an end
Mike in CT
Valuable Member
I think long nose Hawks are pretty good except for maybe small shrimp. I have had a couple, and I love their personality. It's been about 10 years since I had one, so I actually have one arriving by fedex tomorrow!
4FordFamily
Tang, Angel, and Wrasse Nerd!
Longnose and flame are model citizens IME
AllSignsPointToFish
"No Longer The Guy Without FaceBook"
I had a flame hawk that decided one night to have a skunk cleaner shrimp dinner. I would only put one in a FOWLR.
jmags080307
Well-Known Member
my longnose is great! i would't put peppermint shrimp in with it. i have a cleaner shrimp and a blood shrimp along with many different sizes of other inverts. no issues so far. he even lets my cleaner shrimp clean him!
Mike in CT
Valuable Member
That's a great shot!
E048
Active Member
I have my longnose hawk in with peppermints and cleaners and coral banded he's a good guy as long as I keep him fed... He did try and eat a cleaner goby....
If you want a hawkfish look but small size look at the Pygmy hawkfish they're not really hawkfish but they look like them!
If you want a hawkfish look but small size look at the Pygmy hawkfish they're not really hawkfish but they look like them!
