Flame hawkfish pair?

[Lps_lover12]

Both flame hawks keep going to the surface and keep bobbing their head up almost like their trying to escape, I haven’t seen any bullying from other fish, any idea why they would be doing this? They didn’t do it in the qt tank unless I was feeding and they saw me there. Not sure if it’s just that their still settling in and are a bit confused

 

[Jay Hemdal]

Both flame hawks keep going to the surface and keep bobbing their head up almost like their trying to escape, I haven’t seen any bullying from other fish, any idea why they would be doing this? They didn’t do it in the qt tank unless I was feeding and they saw me there. Not sure if it’s just that their still settling in and are a bit confused

That behavior is called "piping". It generally means the fish is undergoing some extra stress. Be sure your tank is well-covered, as piping fish often jump out. If the hawkfish are feeding well and don't have ripped fins, I would just wait to see if they settle down.

Jay

 

[Lps_lover12]

That behavior is called "piping". It generally means the fish is undergoing some extra stress. Be sure your tank is well-covered, as piping fish often jump out. If the hawkfish are feeding well and don't have ripped fins, I would just wait to see if they settle down.

Jay

Thank you, I’ll keep this thread updated as time goes on if they improve or get worse

 

[mike_mania]

Thank you, I’ll keep this thread updated as time goes on if they improve or get worse

How did it go?

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I want to add another flame hawk too and think it will be ok. I started with one flame, and added a Longnose then another Longnose. Initially they fought for couple of weeks but now they’re hanging out together sometimes.

 

[Lps_lover12]

How did it go?

Went really good been together now since the start of this thread, no fighting and just get along. They sometimes stick together swimming side by side and other times each do their own thing but never seen either of them get agressive towards each other or any other fish

 

[Lps_lover12]

I want to add another flame hawk too and think it will be ok. I started with one flame, and added a Longnose then another Longnose. Initially they fought for couple of weeks but now they’re hanging out together sometimes.

Let us know how it goes! Something about the flame hawkfish that makes them so unique. I think it’s their eyes, it’s like the devil is watching you when their looking at you!

 

[revenant]

I just paired my flame hawk and so far it’s going about as good as I can hope for… the larger one is protecting the smaller one from the damsels and just seems to be being nice to it. No aggressive behavior… thank goodness. It’s only day two so very early on here. They sometimes hang out but not always.. seems like the larger one is keeping an eye on his new friend though a lot.


Fingers crossed this works out.

 

[UMALUM]

I just paired my flame hawk and so far it’s going about as good as I can hope for… the larger one is protecting the smaller one from the damsels and just seems to be being nice to it. No aggressive behavior… thank goodness. It’s only day two so very early on here. They sometimes hang out but not always.. seems like the larger one is keeping an eye on his new friend though a lot.


Fingers crossed this works out.

The trick with flames is all in the mask but sometimes it can be difficult when they're juveniles. Here's my pair you can clearly make out the males extended mask. Good luck they can be a challenge even when the opposite sex is met but they are fun as a pair.

 

[Fishingandreefing]

I got a trio in my 70g for a few months so far ok. Prob going to add another one.

 

[revenant]

Oh wow...

The trick with flames is all in the mask but sometimes it can be difficult when they're juveniles. Here's my pair you can clearly make out the males extended mask. Good luck they can be a challenge even when the opposite sex is met but they are fun as a pair.

Oh wow yes I see it... I am going to attach some photos I got the other day.. my 4yo one has a mask but it's not as prominent as your male, but it does go down the nose and the two dark areas around the eyes touch.. my new one def looks a lot like your female.. maybe I got lucky here. I should have checked up on this before I rolled the dice.. but so far so good they're still doing the same thing.. hanging out sometimes but not all the time.. the new one is eating well and looks very healthy in general to me.

(new one in back in this photo, just dark circles around the eyes... don't mind the aiptasia sigh)

(my 4yo in the back in this photo, def has a mask!)



EDIT: I am reading about their spawning behavior just now.. they apparently shoot up to the top of the water column, female first with eggs, then male to fertilize... and people have had them end up jumping while doing that... Someone in another thread reports they lost both in one night! I am definitely going to need to get a net now and keep it on at night I reckon.