Flame Hawk with established shrimp? What are my chances?

[bureau13]

I have several peppermint shrimp in the tank to take care of the occasional aptasia. I didn't know if that would work, but I had one, put the shrimps in, and two days later, no aptasia. I rarely see the shrimp, but every now and then one or two pops out during feeding. I also want to add a cleaner shrimp.

If I get the cleaner established and then add a small Flame Hawk....what are the chances he'll leave the shrimp alone? I do try to keep the tank well fed, and I have a bunch of snail eggs and resulting baby snails...more than I need, for sure, so if he heats some of those, no problem. What are my chances of success here? Eventually he's going to eat the shrimp, or not necessarily?

 

[blaxsun]

50-50? I had a flame hawkfish and he was great, but YMMV...

 

[Patx]

Mine... small flame/red hawkfish ...
Related or not... everything was ok for months then...

In 2 week...
-1turbo snail
-1cleaner shrimp
-1 scarlet hermit (8years old)

Don't...

 

[lion king]

Yes 50/50 but maybe more like a matter of time. The flame hawk can have an additude and be territorial, so it's not always about just needing a snack. Time can go by and all seems well, but when the shrimp molt they are so soft and juicy.

 

[bureau13]

Ugh...sounds like I should probably avoid it, or decide not to keep shrimp.

 

[Tangs-A-Lot]

My medium sized Flame Hawk has been cohabitating with a Fire Shrimp and a cleaner shrimp for about 2 months. The cleaner shrimp came after him, too.

Like other commenters said, your mileage may vary.

 

[laverda]

My breeding pair have never bothered my cleaner shrimp in 8 years.

 

[lion king]

My breeding pair have never bothered my cleaner shrimp in 8 years.

Ugh...sounds like I should probably avoid it, or decide not to keep shrimp.

Variables may include male vs female and maybe a male with a girlfriend is less aggressive. Sexing individuals is a guessing game, after 5 years I'm guessing my flame is a female, on the smaller side. Although she is pretty aggressive and does eat live ghost shrimp and live guppies.