Hawkfish

[dodge250]

Which hawkfish would cause less probs in a reef flame hawk or the longnosed hawk because I read on the net that flame hawks eat hermit crabs feather dusters and small shrimp (I knew that) and is less hardy but the longnosed is the opposite besides the small ornemental shrimp any info would be appreciated

 

[Anguilla82]

i've got a long nosed hawk, and he's no trouble at all.
i have no small shrimps (i.e. sexy shrimp) but he's not had a go at my dwarf hermits.
won't eat flake food but relishes frozen and mussel.

 

[seffieuk]

I have a scarlet in with peppermint shrimps and blood shrimps, he to my knowledge hasn't taken any snails - however he is well fed, and will eat anything i put in the tank others have not been so lucky

seffie x

 

[bitteraspects]

i used to keep a Stocky Hawkfish, but it was a pain in the butt. lol

 

[Buddyboy67]

Like seffie ,i have a scarlet with several shrimp and hermit species and so far he has taken none of them. Loves his frozen but and is kept in check by my female perc, who absolutely hates the sight of him,lol....

 

[dodge250]

IF I had one which one should I choose

 

[Buddyboy67]

Long nosed work well in larger tanks mate and i'm biased towards the scarlet due to the strength of their colour and can be livelier than other species.

 

[Anguilla82]

yeah if you're after colour and movement then lean towards the scarlet hawk.
the long nosed is an interesting character and an interesting shape.

 

[Buddyboy67]

Gotta admit I love the long noses and if my tank had been longer it would have been my first choice...love the way they perch high up and do sentry duty.

 

[dodge250]

Well I want something that's always on show colourful and nice character and I want something that does move but not much

 

[seffieuk]

My vote goes to the scarlet hawk - they don't have a swim bladder so sort of hop around the tank and throw themselves off rock, very comical, then they have those comical little eyes....so cute, wish i had a pair

Seffie x

 

[dodge250]

I am going with the scarlet hawkfish and I asked my lfs about the valentini puffer
there and they said fine with corals kills shrimp (basically) so I got home and researched it and some people said coral compatible yes some said no should I risk it I have always wanted one help

 

[seffieuk]

Valentini is the closest puffer/toby, to reef safe that you will get - cute little fellows but ensure your shrimps are large and expect to lose some snails

Seffie x

 

[dodge250]

I have sand sifting snails that don't come out much but would he kill them when they come out during night mostly but sometimes at feeding time would he kill them also would he touch feather dusters thanks

 

[Buddyboy67]

Don't fancy the dusters chances dodge..some will attack every coral in a tank as well, like dwarf angels they can be trial and error...
Also remember that if a puffer accidently dies in a system or gets majorly stressed out they can release serious toxins and wipe out an entire tank.