Flame Hawkfish

[EDO]

My wife fell in love with a flame hawkfish at our LFS. Would he bother my cleaner shrimp or hermit crabs. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[reefbeard]

My wife fell in love with a flame hawkfish at our LFS. Would he bother my cleaner shrimp or hermit crabs. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

He will eat any shrimp that will fit into his mouth and their mouths are bigger than you think. Having said that, I had no problems with a Longnose Hawkfish and a 1.5" cleaner shrimp which was introduced to the tank first. You may be safe with a large enough cleaner shrimp but any other small ornamental definitely not.

 

[Jon Warner]

It's a great fish... one of only a handful of fish available that add a bright splash of RED to the tank!

 

[nazzman]

I have one never bothered my shrimp

 

[dbl]

My wife wanted a red fish like the sushi place. I told her she couldn't have a Flame Angel because it may eat her rastas. So to satisfy her red fish desire, I purchased a Flame Hawk, which hasn't bothered anything. I bought a small one and my cleaner shrimp is at least twice it's size. Albeit he's a little bashful, he's a really fun and pretty addition. Go for it...keep your bride happy.

 

[playmo]

Flame hawkfish attack the small size of shrimp and crab, if the crab living in SPS branches that she can't get in, that's ok.
Also, she is no interest of hermit crab, but beware she attack Gobies and others hawkfish as well.
Just like gobies, like jump out of tank

 

[jt17]

My flame hawk coexisted with my shrimp for about a year and then in a matter of a couple weeks bye bye cleaner shrimp and blood shrimp. They are pretty fish with cool personalities but they can be mean to other fish. Mine would lurk above where my flame fish hide out and would dive bomb them when they would come out.
If you are looking for a peaceful red fish, my McCoskers flasher wrasse has been a model citizen in my tank.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have kept flame hawks with cleaner and blood shrimp for years without issue, but others have had them go predatory. I think it's worth the risk, but you may not.

 

[XocyrusX]

To chime in I have a flame hawk and has never bothered my blood shrimp or my hermits. I keep mine well fed so he forgot about them. If you can get a shrimp pretty large he won't care. Hermits he has played with but haven't caught him after them.

 

[EDO]

thanks, I think I will give it a shot.

 

[3dees]

I don't have any crabs. my hawk doesn't bother any snails or shrimp. small shrimp may be a problem, but to me, the color and behavior of the fish is more important.