Red Hawkfish Questions

[msujohn]

I have a 90 gallon tank that will be a reef tank. I'm considering adding a Red Hawkfish, but have some questions.

- If I add this fish does this mean that I can't add any shrimp (cleaner, peppermint, pistol, etc)?
- Are there benefits to adding shrimp to a tank?

I'm trying to understand why trade offs that I will be giving up by adding this hawkfish.

 

[Humblefish]

All hawkfish are hit or miss when it comes to shrimp eating; some will also go after your snails/hermits. Obviously, size comes into play - larger hawkfish being more apt to take down smaller prey. I've had pretty good success just keeping them well fed, and sometimes that mitigates their natural instinct to hunt. Why bother if you aren't hungry?

Most shrimp are added just for ornamental purposes. Although cleaner shrimp can be useful to eat off unwanted growths on fish (i.e. Lymphocystis). Pistol shrimp are nice if you want to pair with a goby, and some peppermint shrimp will eat small aiptasia (nuisance anemones).

 

[msujohn]

Although cleaner shrimp can be useful to eat off unwanted growths on fish (i.e. Lymphocystis). Pistol shrimp are nice if you want to pair with a goby, and some peppermint shrimp will eat small aiptasia (nuisance anemones).

So I guess if I get a hawkfish, I won't be able to have shrimp to help with what you mention above? It sounds like having shrimp in my tank, would be a good long term idea. I may need to look into another fish that will have a brilliant red color.

 

[Humblefish]

So I guess if I get a hawkfish, I won't be able to have shrimp to help with what you mention above? It sounds like having shrimp in my tank, would be a good long term idea. I may need to look into another fish that will have a brilliant red color.

Lots of colorful red fairy/flasher wrasses. A lot of people like a Flame angel; but those aren't always reef safe (i.e. nip at corals).

 

[JFrar]

i had a hawkfish with a coral banded shrimp and i guess the coral band could fend the hawkfish off.. but he always would go after my hermits which i did not really mind being that they are so cheap. eventually my carpet nem got the hawk fish though... I love hawkfish but wouldnot plan on agetting another in the current mixed reef i got

 

[JFrar]

**the coral banded was put in before the hawkfish so maybe that was part of the reason too

 

[Shep]

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst is always a good idea when you add livestock that could cause problems.

 

[3dees]

I have a flame hawkfish with peppermints and no problems. the shrimp were in the tank long before the hawk. I do not have hermits.

 

[Waters]

My Flame Hawk is fine with everything....small hermits and cleaner shrimp. He has never bothered anything.

 

[ReeferBee]

My flame hawk is a model citizen, great personality too

 

[SamsReef]

I have a hawkfish and long nose for close to an year and extremely well behaved.

Sam.

 

[Aquaticsole]

If i may andmaybe its just mine! But im so ready to take ine to lfs andlet them have it!! You spot feed coras esecially with shrimp or scallops even reef roids you will be avery aggravated reefer!! The hawk will not let any of my corals eat, you can hold your hand over the coral place a cup whatever he WILL go take their food away, ive litteraly been trying to catch this thing for weeks to remove it

 

[SamsReef]

Update from my side...my hawkfish became a serial killer for ANY shrimp...it was duly trapped and sent to a fish only tank. No more hawkfish for me.

Sam

 

[Aquaticsole]

They are evil!!! I

 

[rc1626]

I've had three in my reefing career and have never had an issue. My current tank houses one that I've had for almost 2 years. I have a harlequin and cleaner shrimp and never an issue. My current flame hawk stands at about 2.5 to 3 inches so certainly not too large. Love their personality as well.