Hawkfish

[tabblet15]

I've been considering getting a small hawkfish, like a Falco or Spotted. I know they sometimes prey upon small inverts like shrimps and small crabs, but would it bother a 4-5 inch pistol shrimp or a feather duster(considering the duster's an invert)?

Whats your experience? Thanks.

[tims]

how big a tank do you have?
hawks can be very good in our tanks but there are a few that are pretty mean too. you might want to stay away from the spotted if you have a smaller tank. also there are two "spotted" hawks.Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus, and Cirrhitichthys aprinus both are or can be trouble.

look at long nose hawks Oxycirrhites typus

[tabblet15]

I have a 10 month old 10 gal. so i don't think a long nose will do well. I know some may consider me pushing it, but i've only looked at the smaller species. One other that can acually be considered a nano fish(to me at least) is Plectranthias inermis or the Geometric Pygmy hawkfish. The Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus is the spotted hawk I mentioned earlier, but if it's trouble i'll stay away from it.

So what do you think?

[tabblet15]

Also, the Falco Hawkfish aka Dwarf Hawkfish, Pixie Hawkfish, Cirrhitichthys falco, from what i've read is the most peaceful and depending one what you read or hear can be kept in a 10 to 20 gallon aquarium.

Any opinions? Thanks.

[tabblet15]

bump

[tims]

From what i have read about the Dwarf hawkfish (Cirrhitichthys falco)
you will have to keep it well fed or it will go after your other fish.
the C.oxycephalus is also known as the pixie hawkfish.
the Dwarf would be the closest to any.. but i might look at other type of fish instead.

[tabblet15]

Maybe i'll skip the hawkfish, do you have any recommendations for a fish that will do well in a 10gal but that's not your everyday fish. Something unique that you don't see very often.

Thanks

[tims]

hm i will have to think about that..
some of the firefish are really cool looking. the only problem with them is they tend to be jumpers... it does not take much for them to get scared...finding the purple ones is usally hard

[tabblet15]

Yeah, had a bicolor blenny for bout a year and he jumped on me. Hated it. So i've got egg crate over my aquarium now, but i heard firefish are very talented and given the slightest space they will make it through.

[WilyGuy]

You have a 10 Gallon with a 4-5 inch pistol??? how does he turn around?

Originally Posted by tabblet15

I have a 10 month old 10 gal. so i don't think a long nose will do well. I know some may consider me pushing it, but i've only looked at the smaller species. One other that can acually be considered a nano fish(to me at least) is Plectranthias inermis or the Geometric Pygmy hawkfish. The Cirrhitichthys oxycephalus is the spotted hawk I mentioned earlier, but if it's trouble i'll stay away from it.

So what do you think?

[tabblet15]

His size is just an estimate, if you know much about pistol shrimp you don't often see them unless they are doing work on the hole intrance or smell food. He gets along just fine I've had him for about 6 months.

[tims]

i dont know how i missed that...
but adding a goby for him would be about the best and only thing i would do. anyone else could end up dinner

[tabblet15]

The shrimp already has a YW goby paired with it, they were introduced to the tank at the same time. Sorry bout the rough size estimate on the shrimp he maybe 4 inches at MOST, though he is rather large, he may really be 3-3 1/2 inches.