to flame hawk or not to flame hawk

zemuron114 · 07/23/2006, 11:19 AM

I have an existing flame hawk from my previous tank and wanted to add him to my new 180. However, i have 2 cleaner shrimp in there now (and small gobies). the cleaner shrimps are 2" each.. they are pretty big. The hawk is 3". The smallest goby i have is a barnacle blenny that is 1.5" maybe a little bit bigger, but hes thin.

I dont know if he will eat the shrimp because they are big, or eat the goby because it is small. He has eaten small feeder shrimp before (1/2") and small feeder fish (1/4-1/2")

AND, i need to decide if i want to add my dwarf eel or not as well.. i know it wont eat the shrimp, but may the gobies OR my helfrich firefish pair i plan to get. The eel is EXTREMELY gentle and passive. It hides all day and stays in the same rock. I have never had it attack or eat anything small before.
I do have a 29 gallon clownfish tank i could put them in. It has mated pair of O. clowns, small bluespot goby and a hawaiian algae blenny. I can move the blenny and goby to the 180 and have the hawk, eel and clowns in the 29. but that may be to much of a bioload. It has HOB filter rated for 55 gallon, and remora skimmer w/ maxijet.

What sounds good to everyone??

thanks

PS: sorry for long post

skeeter-doc · 07/23/2006, 11:23 AM

I would think eventually the flame hawk would eat the cleaner shrimp

zemuron114 · 07/23/2006, 11:38 AM

thats what i was thinking as well expecially when they molt....

Ereefic · 07/23/2006, 12:21 PM

Do you want shrimp or not? Answer this question for the answer to your original question.

Peter Eichler · 07/23/2006, 01:22 PM

I kept a Flame hawk for many years in my 125 reef with peppermint shrimp, flame shrimp, coral banded, and skunk cleaners without any loses. The tank was also very rarely fed... Now I'm not suggesting you try it, but saying it can be done without consequences. However, since you've already fed him live shrimp and fish I'd be more concerned than usual.

zemuron114 · 07/23/2006, 01:44 PM

what about putting them in the 29 gallon? to much for it to handle??

Peter Eichler · 07/23/2006, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zemuron114
what about putting them in the 29 gallon? to much for it to handle??

Yes, seems like way too much. You'd be better off putting the shrimp and possibly goby in the 29 gal.

zemuron114 · 07/23/2006, 02:40 PM

hmmm... ill have to debate some more!

sir_dudeguy · 07/23/2006, 02:48 PM

i've heard that the hawks wont eat any shimp that are bigger than they're mouth..but thats prolly not true...and i do know a few people that successfully keep the 2 together.

07/23/2006, 11:19 AM	#1
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	to flame hawk or not to flame hawk I have an existing flame hawk from my previous tank and wanted to add him to my new 180. However, i have 2 cleaner shrimp in there now (and small gobies). the cleaner shrimps are 2" each.. they are pretty big. The hawk is 3". The smallest goby i have is a barnacle blenny that is 1.5" maybe a little bit bigger, but hes thin. I dont know if he will eat the shrimp because they are big, or eat the goby because it is small. He has eaten small feeder shrimp before (1/2") and small feeder fish (1/4-1/2") AND, i need to decide if i want to add my dwarf eel or not as well.. i know it wont eat the shrimp, but may the gobies OR my helfrich firefish pair i plan to get. The eel is EXTREMELY gentle and passive. It hides all day and stays in the same rock. I have never had it attack or eat anything small before. I do have a 29 gallon clownfish tank i could put them in. It has mated pair of O. clowns, small bluespot goby and a hawaiian algae blenny. I can move the blenny and goby to the 180 and have the hawk, eel and clowns in the 29. but that may be to much of a bioload. It has HOB filter rated for 55 gallon, and remora skimmer w/ maxijet. What sounds good to everyone?? thanks PS: sorry for long post

07/23/2006, 01:22 PM	#5
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I kept a Flame hawk for many years in my 125 reef with peppermint shrimp, flame shrimp, coral banded, and skunk cleaners without any loses. The tank was also very rarely fed... Now I'm not suggesting you try it, but saying it can be done without consequences. However, since you've already fed him live shrimp and fish I'd be more concerned than usual. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

07/23/2006, 02:48 PM	#9
sir_dudeguy Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 10,841	i've heard that the hawks wont eat any shimp that are bigger than they're mouth..but thats prolly not true...and i do know a few people that successfully keep the 2 together. __________________ TAKE...LUCK!!!

07/23/2006, 11:23 AM	#2
skeeter-doc Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,643	I would think eventually the flame hawk would eat the cleaner shrimp

07/23/2006, 11:38 AM	#3
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	thats what i was thinking as well expecially when they molt....

07/23/2006, 12:21 PM	#4
Ereefic Moved On Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 5,821	Do you want shrimp or not? Answer this question for the answer to your original question.

07/23/2006, 01:44 PM	#6
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	what about putting them in the 29 gallon? to much for it to handle??

07/23/2006, 02:40 PM	#8
zemuron114 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pilgrim State (Mass) Posts: 4,039	hmmm... ill have to debate some more!