carnivorous tangs

Xubar · 06/25/2008, 11:14 AM

I don't know who got my cleaner shrimp for sure, but the tangs seemed to enjoy ripping him apart. Especially the yellow tang.

Stock list:
Blue tang
Yellow tang
Flame hawk
2 bangaii cardinals
2 ocellaris clowns
Lawnmower blenny
few crabs and snails

I was most worried about the flame hawk, (even though they were about the same size), but I'm not sure he's the culprit. He comes into the video part way through and rips the shrimps head off. I would think if he killed the shrimp he would have ripped the head off when he made the kill.

the video

IFbettas · 06/25/2008, 12:51 PM

Tangs occasionally pick on shrimp but usually only the antennae. I would guess it was the flame hawk as they are very predatory.

snorvich · 06/25/2008, 02:31 PM

Flame hawks love shrimp.

seapug · 06/25/2008, 04:19 PM

It was the flame hawk. They commit their crimes when you're not looking, then leave the Tang holding the bag.

Tswifty · 06/25/2008, 04:34 PM

Flame Hawks are known for taking out shrimp.

Someone has a pick on here of a Flame Hawk with nothing but the shrimps antenna's sticking out of its mouth.

maikoa02 · 06/26/2008, 02:18 AM

it was the flame hawk. they'll also eat your snails and hermit crabs. i love this fish but i need my shrimp, crabs, and snails to help clean my tank. so no flame hawk anymore.

snorvich · 06/26/2008, 03:57 AM

Yes, the flame hawks are great fish with great personality and UGLY eating habits.

Xubar · 06/26/2008, 08:13 PM

Bambalam · 06/26/2008, 08:42 PM

Looks like an episode of CSI in the making.....

IslandCrow · 06/26/2008, 08:53 PM

But he looks so. . .innocent. He'd be my #1 suspect, though.

06/25/2008, 12:51 PM	#2
IFbettas Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Woodridge, IL Posts: 1,953	Tangs occasionally pick on shrimp but usually only the antennae. I would guess it was the flame hawk as they are very predatory. __________________ Current Tank Info: 180G SPS Dominant, 75 Gallon Sump/Fuge, 3x250w Reeflux 12k in Lumenbrights, Octo Extreme 250 Skimmer, Lots of flow

06/25/2008, 02:31 PM	#3
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Flame hawks love shrimp. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/25/2008, 04:19 PM	#4
seapug Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 4980 ft. Posts: 7,954 Blog Entries: 1	It was the flame hawk. They commit their crimes when you're not looking, then leave the Tang holding the bag. __________________ insert clever saying here. Current Tank Info: 200 gallon custom Marineland DD peninsular tank. LPS dominated mixed reef. Previous 90 gallon mixed reef TOTM April 2009.

06/25/2008, 04:34 PM	#5
Tswifty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: PA Posts: 14,022	Flame Hawks are known for taking out shrimp. Someone has a pick on here of a Flame Hawk with nothing but the shrimps antenna's sticking out of its mouth. __________________ "Enough light? Heck I could go barebottom and grow SPS in the stand!" - DiscoReefRover

06/26/2008, 03:57 AM	#7
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Yes, the flame hawks are great fish with great personality and UGLY eating habits. __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

06/25/2008, 11:14 AM	#1
Xubar Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 301	carnivorous tangs I don't know who got my cleaner shrimp for sure, but the tangs seemed to enjoy ripping him apart. Especially the yellow tang. Stock list: Blue tang Yellow tang Flame hawk 2 bangaii cardinals 2 ocellaris clowns Lawnmower blenny few crabs and snails I was most worried about the flame hawk, (even though they were about the same size), but I'm not sure he's the culprit. He comes into the video part way through and rips the shrimps head off. I would think if he killed the shrimp he would have ripped the head off when he made the kill. the video

06/26/2008, 02:18 AM	#6
maikoa02 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: RSM Posts: 456	it was the flame hawk. they'll also eat your snails and hermit crabs. i love this fish but i need my shrimp, crabs, and snails to help clean my tank. so no flame hawk anymore.

06/26/2008, 08:13 PM	#8
Xubar Registered Member. Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 301	"Who, me?"

06/26/2008, 08:42 PM	#9
Bambalam Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: OH Posts: 688	Looks like an episode of CSI in the making.....

06/26/2008, 08:53 PM	#10
IslandCrow Reef Monkey Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 5,759	But he looks so. . .innocent. He'd be my #1 suspect, though. __________________ All opinions in the above message should be taken with 35 ppt salt. -Mike C. Current Tank Info: I have a reef screen saver on my phone, does that count?