Flame Hawkfish and Cleaners

[ReefinManhattan]

I have a 75 gallon reef tank and I really want to get a Flame Hawkfish. I had one in my old just fish tank, and he was a blast to watch. I don't have any shrimp or crabs (thanks to my Melanurus wrasse), but I know Hawks will dine on my cleaner snails as well. I was wondering if anybody could give me a handle on rate of decimation--I could live with replenishing the crew every month or so. Also, if I got bigger snails, would that make a difference?

 

[Zack K]

I Had a pinktailed trigger and he dined on any snail he could flip over, all crabs, and all shrimps. I found that he left turbo snails alone because they have a stronger hold then most snails. I believe you will be okay with turbo snails but I can't promise anything as each fish has its own personality. @eatbreakfast

 

[4FordFamily]

My flame hawk didn't really mess with my snails or hermits, at least not marginally. Nor did my wrasses -- I'd replace my cleanup crew bi-annually and I found it to be well worth the continued investment.

 

[94Roarge]

I feel most snails will be fine with a hawk

 

[eatbreakfast]

Snails are safe with hawkfish. Hawkfish's mouths aren't equipped to extract snails from their shells.

 

[ReefinManhattan]

Thanks for the replies--looks hopeful. I heard that most Hawkfish won't bother snails EXCEPT Flames. Any truth to that?

 

[eatbreakfast]

Thanks for the replies--looks hopeful. I heard that most Hawkfish won't bother snails EXCEPT Flames. Any truth to that?

I have never seen a flame hawkfish show any interest in a snail.

 

[Scurvy]

My Flame hasnt touched a snail in the time ive had him. He did pick off a couple of smaller pepermint shrimp and hasn't touched my cleaner.

 

[tenstars11]

I have had my fat flam hawk for 3 years and he leaves inverts alone except when I added a blood fire shrimp but after a while he left that alone