Most reef-safe hawkfish?

SoloChromis · 03/26/2016, 05:22 PM

I've always loved hawks, but I also love small fish and shrimp. What would be the the safest bet? I'm really curious about the swallowtail hawk (Cyprinocirrhites polyactis). Thanks guys

snorvich · 03/26/2016, 08:14 PM

Hawkfish are ambush predators. They eat small fish and shrimp

LobsterOfJustice · 03/27/2016, 06:52 AM

You could try a Pygmy geometric hawkish. They will still eat anything that fits in their mouth (like all hawkish) but at least they are much smaller... They are also technically not true hawkish but behavior-wise as far as we are concerned, they might as well be.

ThRoewer · 03/27/2016, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoloChromis

I've always loved hawks, but I also love small fish and shrimp. What would be the the safest bet? I'm really curious about the swallowtail hawk (Cyprinocirrhites polyactis). Thanks guys

Cyprinocirrhites polyactis grows to 15 cm (5.9 in) in total length. That means it will easily eat cleaner shrimp, gobies, dartfish and the like.

The only solution to have small fish and shrimp and hawkfish are two tanks to keep them apart. I learned that lesson the hard way a long time ago.

As already mentioned, the pygmy hawkfish may be an option, but I would be careful with that as well - sexy shrimp may not be safe with them either.

CoralsAddiction · 03/27/2016, 09:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

Hawkfish are ambush predators. They eat small fish and shrimp

+1
I had a flame hawk that was a complete jerk. It would ambush a small Clarkii clown. It was obvious that the hawkish wanted to kill the clown and eat him. Needless to say the hawkish was taken out.

SoloChromis · 03/27/2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snorvich

Hawkfish are ambush predators. They eat small fish and shrimp

I understand this, but there's possible exceptions to every general rule. Like Xanthichthys triggers, Hemitaurichthys butterflies, Genicanthus angels, zebra morays etc. All lack much of the traits that would make them unsuitable or undesirable for the average community reef, containing coral, small fish, shrimp etc. The lyretail hawk stuck out to me especially, considering it resembles an anthias much more than a hawk IMO, swims in the water column more, and according to several sources, preys mostly on planktonic food. I just figured someone on here has to have some experience with a hawk that was consistently better behaved and had proven to be less likely to go after small gobies, shrimp etc.

Myles · 03/27/2016, 03:26 PM

Have you though about the geometric hawkfish- which isn't really a hawk at all?
They are smaller, shyer, and not the most competitive eaters but they do have the hawkfish look and are completely safe with everything with the possible exception of sexy shrimp or other really small shrimp.
myles

Cliving1 · 03/27/2016, 04:23 PM

I have a longnose hawkfish and he is the best personality I have seen. He is almost at the point of perching in my hand. Super cool, always looking to greet me when I walk within feet of the tank.

GOSKN5 · 03/27/2016, 04:33 PM

I had a flame.. he whipped a small clown, banggai card, and a blue reef chromis I think if added last it might have been better.. but still I wont add another with small fish...

Daniel62 · 03/27/2016, 08:52 PM

Longnose here, never any trouble either

03/26/2016, 05:22 PM	#1
SoloChromis Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Florida Posts: 787	Most reef-safe hawkfish? I've always loved hawks, but I also love small fish and shrimp. What would be the the safest bet? I'm really curious about the swallowtail hawk (Cyprinocirrhites polyactis). Thanks guys __________________ 60g Macro Algae & Gorgonian Dominated Reef Cube & 20g (Peacock) Mantis Tank Current Tank Info: 60g Caribbean-esque Reef (2'x2'x2'), 10g Quarantine

03/26/2016, 08:14 PM	#2
snorvich Team RC member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Outlander Posts: 40,953 Blog Entries: 46	Hawkfish are ambush predators. They eat small fish and shrimp __________________ Warmest regards, ~Steve~

03/27/2016, 06:52 AM	#3
LobsterOfJustice Recovering Detritophobe Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 7,443	You could try a Pygmy geometric hawkish. They will still eat anything that fits in their mouth (like all hawkish) but at least they are much smaller... They are also technically not true hawkish but behavior-wise as far as we are concerned, they might as well be. __________________ If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right. I remember when zoanthids were called things like "green" and "orange" and not "reverse gorilla nipple." Current Tank Info: 180g reef with all the bells and whistles

03/27/2016, 03:26 PM	#7
Myles Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 262	Have you though about the geometric hawkfish- which isn't really a hawk at all? They are smaller, shyer, and not the most competitive eaters but they do have the hawkfish look and are completely safe with everything with the possible exception of sexy shrimp or other really small shrimp. myles __________________ Myles

03/27/2016, 08:52 PM	#10
Daniel62 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: kingman, AZ Posts: 1,483	Longnose here, never any trouble either __________________ Mind over matter, if you don't mind it doesn't matter Current Tank Info: 225 reef, 125 clown & haddoni tank, Haddoni's Big Bad & Beautiful, I Love Them!

03/27/2016, 04:23 PM	#8
Cliving1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 1,923	I have a longnose hawkfish and he is the best personality I have seen. He is almost at the point of perching in my hand. Super cool, always looking to greet me when I walk within feet of the tank.

03/27/2016, 04:33 PM	#9
GOSKN5 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 686	I had a flame.. he whipped a small clown, banggai card, and a blue reef chromis I think if added last it might have been better.. but still I wont add another with small fish...