How old is a 3-inch Longnose Hawkfish

beehive124 · Apr 8, 2022

Does anyone know a ballpark age for a 3 inch longnose hawk?

i cant think · Apr 8, 2022

beehive124 said:
Does anyone know a ballpark age for a 3 inch longnose hawk?

Depends, if under the right conditions they can grow fast but if under the wrong conditions they can grow rather slowly. Food is one of the conditions, how much is it getting?

Zionas · Apr 8, 2022

I would say 1-2 years old but that’s really just my gut feeling more than anything else. Sometimes we just don’t know as not all wild fish reach their listed maximum size. I know a few who’ve kept Flame Hawks for over a decade and they got to 2.5” or so, about two-thirds of the maximum “possible” size of 3.5” and they never really grew (as far as the owners could see) in those years.

nereefpat · Apr 8, 2022

I would guess at least a couple years. Although I don't know how old they are already when they come in at a skinny 2 inches.

i cant think · Apr 8, 2022

If I had to guess, I’d also say around the 1-2 year old mark. This is just due to the growth rates seen in other fish, however most of the time in captivity, a fish will only get 80% of its max size that is recorded.

Zionas · Apr 8, 2022

Surprising you say a couple years. I wonder if they don’t really get that big and the 5” listed on FishBase was an anomaly.

beehive124 · Apr 8, 2022

Thanks guys! I just got him from my lfs yesterday. I like to get smaller fish because they are younger and live longer (usually). When I got this guy I was shocked how big he was (my lfs ordered it for me and I took it straight from the shipping box). I fed him mysis, but he didn't eat much, not too concerned about that. To my knowledge he is wild caught, so he probably got as big as he did in the wild over the course of however many years. Glad to hear he's only a couple years old! I love getting the most life out of my fish as possible

Dani305 · Apr 8, 2022

Where are the PICS!?!

beehive124 · Apr 8, 2022

Dani305 said:
Where are the PICS!?!

I'll get one this afternoon! It's a really gorgeous fish!

Dani305 · Apr 8, 2022

beehive124 said:
I'll get one this afternoon! It's a really gorgeous fish!

Yes I agree. I think I am going to get one today. The LFS next to my job has like 4 of them!

Zionas · Apr 8, 2022

Nice species, tight competition between this one and a Flame although the more exotic Hawkfish are interesting too.

Dani305 · Apr 8, 2022

Zionas said:
Nice species, tight competition between this one and a Flame although the more exotic Hawkfish are interesting too.

I think both flame and long nose are stunning.

brb googling exotic hawkfish !

Zionas · Apr 8, 2022

Sure lol! Lyretail Hawkfish are kinda interesting. Also the Golden Hawkfish.

Lbrdsoxfan · Apr 8, 2022

I got this goober as a 2" runt. It's been with me for 5+ years and measures just at 4" its been at that 4" number for a few years now, I cant see it getting any bigger.