flame hawk fish r they reef safe

[cisco1717]

hey everyone, am interested in one of those fish but get mix reviews. i heard they are reef safe but to be careful with the shrimps, snails and crabs i already have. if thats the case i won't getone but am not sure

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Those shrimps, crabs and snails will be lunch for the hawk.

 

[Social D]

Hi mines a model citizen with my Red Leg crabs and shrimps, I know many reefers that have them and cant or havent heard of them eating the usual shrimps we buy.

However i wouldnt add the ornamental shrimps you can by that live with anemones.

 

[prattreef]

I gotta agree with Social D IME they pose very little risk to anything. The biggest problem I have had is that they are very prone to jumping. A good lid is a must IMO. Other hawks are a different story entirely.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

Mine has been in my tank for 6 months. No problems at all

 

[isakofyork001]

is that a chance you want to take, and if he does take those things out. good luck get the hawkfish out of your tank.

 

[DEL]

i have had mine for almost a year..my 3 cleaners 1 fire and a bunch of snails and hermits are fine..however..i put 2 peppermints in one time..and they were dinner in less than 10 mins!

 

[cisco1717]

thanks everyone i'll keep you updated on what happens

 

[SIReefer]

You might want to try a longnose hawkfish instead. They are interesting fish. I also believe they are less prone to going after inverts. I had one and never observed it bothering anything in the tank. They are jumpers though, that's how I lost mine.

 

[wallysworld]

I have had my Flame hawk for about 8 months with 2 peppermint shrimp and a bunch of hermits never touched anyone. Then I added a cleaner shrimp. When he first went into the tank the hawk went for him but missed. The cleaner found a cave in the rocks and has no problem since. My Sally lightfoot puts his claws up everytime the hawk swims too close. So I guess as long as your hawk is fed and all of your shrimp and crabs have a place to hide you should be fine.
Suggestion get the smallest Flame hawk you can find.
Jumping hasn't been a problem so far.

Good luck.

 

[greggnyce]

Remember "reef safe" is a very general term. I had a yellow tang that ate my blue zoanthids, it sometimes boils down to each individual fish. From what I have read it seems that some fish will not go after existing animals in a system but wwhem you add a new one they go after it. It may have to do with the fact that the new animal is placed in the tank just like their food, dropped in. Just my opinion.

 

[Social D]

The Moral of this story is always buy big shrimps in the first place, Peppermints are often sold so small im surprised most normal fish dont eat them.

And agreeded ''Reef -Safe'' is a very general term when defining what we keep.

I had some very expensive and colourful Ricordias that my Red Leg Hermit crabs devoured overnight .. But thats whats so great about this hobby you do really keep learning ... Although you never learn how to stop spending:shhh:.

 

[2slo4me]

is that a chance you want to take, and if he does take those things out. good luck get the hawkfish out of your tank.

hawk fish always sleep towards the top of the tank, most will chill on a mag float. ive never had a problem catching em....

 

[cortegro]

My hawk is the tiniest fish in the tank and 'hops' around the top rocks all the time. (and hangs on the mag float too) He never bothers any crabs or snails. He has taken the trip through the overflow twice in the last month, however!

 

[jackson6745]

My Flame hawk never bothered anything in my reef. Crabs, shrimps, snail.....all safe. No risk whatsoever IME/IMO.