Longnose/flame hawkfish

Bps619 · Jul 22, 2015

Hi everyone,

Maybe you guys can help me make my decision. I've been debating on adding a longnose or flame hawk to my 60 gallon SPS reef. I understand they go for inverts and I do have a fire shrimp but it's not a big deal if he gets snatched up. ( my wife wanted the shrimp ha!)
My concern is will the sps be affected in any negative way by the hawkfish perching on them? If so what is the worst that can happen?
So to you guys that have had or currently have one in an sps tank I would love to hear your thoughts on these guys. Thanks guys!
Here's a picture of my tank so you can have an idea of the environment.

4FordFamily · Jul 22, 2015

I've never had any issues with hawkfish perching on corals.

Both are great options. I've only kept flame though, never had them harm any shrimp. I've kept flames close to 12 years.

Bps619 · Jul 22, 2015

3FordFamily said:
I've never had any issues with hawkfish perching on corals.

Both are great options. I've only kept flame though, never had them harm any shrimp. I've kept flames close to 12 years.

Exactly what I wanted to hear! Haha thanks. Anyone else want to share?

4FordFamily · Jul 22, 2015

I would add that both have similar temperaments. I would say by a very small
margin perhaps longnose are more laid back but neither hawkfish are aggressive at all, relative to other hawkfish species like Hawaiian and arc-eye.

I have had longnose for about 6 months over the years. Made a stupid mistake and poor guy didn't make it. They're pretty hardy though, but I would say flame are a bit hardier all else equal. Neither should die in a good, stable system with good husbandry.

hart24601 · Jul 22, 2015

I also have a longnose and have a ton of feather dusters and shrimp. No issues. He doesn't seem to perch on the coral either. Now my clown goby is another matter...

Bps619 · Jul 22, 2015

do the longnose hang out on the sandbed some flame Hawks I see?

hart24601 · Jul 22, 2015

Hmmm, I hadn't really thought about it, but I guess the longnose does spend most him time on the bottom (I run bare bottom). Maybe 30% of the time on rocks, 50% bottom and 20% swimming or holding against the side. Just rough estimate.

NeuroticAquatics · Jul 22, 2015

My Longnose is never on the sand in my 240g. It's up on the rocks or powerheads all the time. They are great fish though. Interesting to watch.

Bps619 · Jul 22, 2015

great feedback. I was worried they were going to tick off my acros.

Bps619 · Jul 22, 2015

thanks guys for giving me that little nudge i needed to go get a longnose hawkfish. I picked one up with the quickness! lol

4FordFamily · Jul 22, 2015

Bps619 said:
thanks guys for giving me that little nudge i needed to go get a longnose hawkfish. I picked one up with the quickness! lol

Love these guys!

3dees · Jul 23, 2015

my flame sits on the coral but does no harm.

Bps619 · Jul 23, 2015

3dees said:
my flame sits on the coral but does no harm.

Proof in your avatar. Thanks now I want a flame too. Anyone with both?

3dees · Jul 23, 2015

they should get along. I'm thinking of adding a long nose.

eatbreakfast · Jul 23, 2015

I have kept the 2 together on multiple occasions without issue.

4FordFamily · Jul 23, 2015

eatbreakfast said:
I have kept the 2 together on multiple occasions without issue.

Agree there would be no issue.

Other hawkfish we would be having a different conversation. Although I have kept a hawiian and flame together for 4 years without issue in the past.

I can't imagine an arceye tolerating any other hawk! Those things are the spawn of satan

Bps619 · Jul 23, 2015

3dees said:
they should get along. I'm thinking of adding a long nose.

do it! haha i added mine yesterday and im glad i did. very cool fish to watch

Bps619 · Jul 23, 2015

3FordFamily said:
Agree there would be no issue.

Other hawkfish we would be having a different conversation. Although I have kept a hawiian and flame together for 4 years without issue in the past.

I can't imagine an arceye tolerating any other hawk! Those things are the spawn of satan

nice.

by the way i saw your wrasse tank. awesome! I have 2 leopards in my tank right now and theyre doing great

4FordFamily · Jul 23, 2015

Bps619 said:
nice.

by the way i saw your wrasse tank. awesome! I have 2 leopards in my tank right now and theyre doing great

Awesome! Leopards are amazing!

NicksMixedReef · Jul 23, 2015

I had a long nose for about two years. Perched on everything. Even my arm when I put it in the tank. Mistook my fingers for juicy worms. Speared my clowns for fun from the return pumps up top, just perching like a hawk.

I captured it after 6 months of trying. I vowed to never get one again lol