What Corals Will a Flame Hawk Eat?

[johnnyphish]

I've been informed that flame hawk fish are risky additions to reef aquariums. In particular, some seem to like LPS. Wondering if there are any corals they stay away from? Perhaps zoas and palys? Perhaps other soft corals? I am converting a 35 gal into a slightly "dirty" macro tank, and I'd like to add some corals if they have a good shot at not getting ravaged by my flame hawk fish. Thanks!

 

[NanoSteam]

Never heard of this, my flame hawk didn't touch any soft coral or LPS (I didn't have any SPS). They're known to go for your small inverts/shrimp though.

 

[JayM]

Mine never touched any coral, nor did he bother my cleaner shrimp.

 

[JGT]

Have had several throughout the years. Never touched any type of coral.

 

[NanoSteam]

Mine never touched any coral, nor did he bother my cleaner shrimp.

Mine never touched any either but I kept it well fed, such a fun fish to watch.

 

[skey44]

They will eat ornamental shrimp if added after them and some specimens will actively hunt them if you already have them. They don’t eat or harm corals.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

I've been informed that flame hawk fish are risky additions to reef aquariums. In particular, some seem to like LPS. Wondering if there are any corals they stay away from? Perhaps zoas and palys? Perhaps other soft corals? I am converting a 35 gal into a slightly "dirty" macro tank, and I'd like to add some corals if they have a good shot at not getting ravaged by my flame hawk fish. Thanks!

They are carnivores mine never cared about corals but devoured a shrimp as long as he was

 

[Fish Fan]

They will eat ornamental shrimp if added after them and some specimens will actively hunt them if you already have them. They don’t eat or harm corals.

^This. They are often said to be not reef safe because they will eat shrimp. They should not bother corals specifically.

 

[johnnyphish]

Thanks everyone. Very consistent information in these replies.

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I've been informed that flame hawk fish are risky additions to reef aquariums. In particular, some seem to like LPS. Wondering if there are any corals they stay away from? Perhaps zoas and palys? Perhaps other soft corals? I am converting a 35 gal into a slightly "dirty" macro tank, and I'd like to add some corals if they have a good shot at not getting ravaged by my flame hawk fish. Thanks!

Since I’d like a hawk eventually, that’s good to keep in mind. I’ve never heard of them going after a coral directly, but I’ve seen them perch on one and irritate it into retracting.

 

[larrysaltisfun]

And a look on the flame hawks face as he shifts his eyes from side to side is “I didn’t do it”