Hawkfish Help

Zionas · Sep 23, 2020

Thanks. Then I’ll look into a Longnose.

eric.tech · Sep 23, 2020

Topekoms said:
I would say it's from lack of light

I would agree with this. At night or when I have the lights off fiddling with my tank, all my fish will be pale in color, including my red spotted hawkfish.

joejstutes · Sep 23, 2020

Zionas said:
I would get a Hawkfish but worried about them eating shrimp and snails. Don’t want to lose any Pistol Shrimp which would also cause lots of stress to Yellow Watchmen Gobies. Love Hawkfish but so worried about getting one.

I have him in a 90 gallon with a skunk cleaner and fire shrimp and will be adding my pistol shrimp once I get him a goby to pair up with.

Zionas · Sep 23, 2020

Ahh what kind of Hawkfish is it?

joejstutes · Sep 23, 2020

Zionas said:
Ahh what kind of Hawkfish is it?

The one in the pictures for this post

CindyKz · Sep 23, 2020

ThRoewer said:
Coloration of reef fish has a lot to do with environmental factors. If there are no colorful corals or at least rocks with lots of coralline fish may fade in their colors to blend in.
And you also have the bachelor-effect (getting sloppy with looks) with single fish if there are no mates to impress. Hawkfish are some of the easier fish to pair as they change sex both ways. Males have more black than females and often also a more vibrant red.

In all of the photos the OP's hawkfish is sitting on top of a white scraper. Is it possible that he's blending into that? It's strange/striking how the white coloration extends up, then to a sharp line.

ETA: I have no idea if this is possible, just an observation. My flame hawk doesn't exhibit any color change other than becoming a little pale at night.