Are Hawkfish easy to keep? Jumpers?

Zionas · 03/29/2020, 12:42 PM

Hi, I am wondering if hawkfish are easy to keep, whether they’re easy to feed, and whether they’re frequent jumpers. How long can they live?

I’m considering getting one. It’s a choice between the Falco, Coral, Flame and Longnose.

ThRoewer · 03/29/2020, 12:59 PM

Easy to keep - yes.
Jumpers - not particularly.

The biggest issue with them is that they are predators and will eat whatever they can swallow. Shrimp and small fish won't last long with a hawkfish in the tank.
The only ones I would consider are the the longnose and the flame hawkfish because they they are relatively small and have smaller mouths than the rest of the gang.
The longnose is probably the safest of all the hawkfish.

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64Ivy · 03/30/2020, 06:18 AM

I find that Flame Hawks have a great "personality".

gprdypoo04 · 03/30/2020, 09:46 AM

Got a flame for the last couple years. Great fish full of personality. Never seen him aggressive toward anything including invertebrates.

Zionas · 03/30/2020, 11:09 AM

Awesome. Seems I’ll stick to a Flame or Longnose. I’d love to hear more about your experiences with their diet and whether they jump / carpet surf. I’m asking because in other places I have read multiple horror stories of people’s Hawkfish jumping to their deaths while they were out or just doing something else. From the videos I’ve watched, some of them do like to “climb” their way near the water’s surface, which makes me worried.

arielw · 03/30/2020, 01:53 PM

Flames are great. Hop around. Longnose are a good fish but I have had a couple jump out so I gave up on them.

edsbeaker · 03/30/2020, 02:39 PM

I’ve had several flame hawks over the years with a couple incidents. One of my flame hawks ate my medium sized cleaner shrimp. I didn’t catch him in the act, but the tentacles hanging from his mouth was proof enough for me. 🤣. Another one I had became a snack for the dog when it jumped out of the tank while I was cleaning it. I love them so much, though. So much personality! Just make sure the tank is covered. Most fish can potentially jump, so it’s a good idea anyway.

ThRoewer · 03/30/2020, 03:07 PM

BTW, hawkfish can change sexes in any direction so making pairs is generally quite easy.
Got to find the research paper later today to provide the link.

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edsbeaker · 03/30/2020, 04:16 PM

I’d be interested in this. It costs a fortune to buy a bonded pair on Liveaquaria!

Zionas · 03/30/2020, 08:21 PM

For those whose jumped, did you have a tank with an open top? Did you startle then while you were cleaning tank or maybe they were startled by their tank mates?

gprdypoo04 · 03/30/2020, 09:27 PM

My flame has never jumped as i can tell.

ThRoewer · 03/30/2020, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zionas

For those whose jumped, did you have a tank with an open top? Did you startle then while you were cleaning tank or maybe they were startled by their tank mates?

They need to be chased to jump.

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laverda · 03/30/2020, 11:21 PM

Had a flame hawk and never saw anyone chase it ever. My tanks are covered now. Just not worth losing fish with out a cover as any can jump.

laverda · 03/30/2020, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

BTW, hawkfish can change sexes in any direction so making pairs is generally quite easy.
Got to find the research paper later today to provide the link.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

That’s interesting to know as I would like to pair my flame hawk.looking forward to the link.

ThRoewer · 03/31/2020, 01:08 AM

Posted a new thread in the Breeding Forum

ThRoewer · 03/31/2020, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laverda

That’s interesting to know as I would like to pair my flame hawk.looking forward to the link.

Flame hawks (Neocirrhites armatus) should be easy as there is actually a little sexual dichromatism:

Seems one of the sexes (male?) has a little more black and a more vibrant red.
BTW, if LiveAquaria can pair them in such numbers it is usually fairly easy.

ThRoewer · 03/31/2020, 03:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsbeaker

.... One of my flame hawks ate my medium sized cleaner shrimp. I didn’t catch him in the act, but the tentacles hanging from his mouth was proof enough for me. 🤣. ...

That's how you catch them in the act

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Zionas · 03/31/2020, 05:57 AM

@ThRoewer Nice! Thanks for letting me know. I might consider getting a pair, but do they have to be a bonded pair at the time of purchase?

What’s your opinion of the other hawks like Coral and Falco? Or even the Blood Red?

ThRoewer · 03/31/2020, 09:31 AM

2 of them will become a bonded pair.
I would only recommend the longnose or the flame hawk. Even the flame hawk might already be a risk for smaller tankmates. The other may eat whatever they can swallow - which is far more than you might think. And fish like gobies are just the right shape to go down easy...

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mansorinc · 03/31/2020, 11:46 AM

They’re awesome fish, and really pretty. In my opinion they’re hardy and pretty much just hang out; but say bye to your shrimps

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laverda · 03/31/2020, 09:07 PM

I would not count on LiveAquaria selling true pairs.

ThRoewer · 03/31/2020, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by laverda

I would not count on LiveAquaria selling true pairs.

Yeah. They put a male and female together and voilà you got a pair. These guys are not like anemonefish in the regard that male and female actually need to form a bond. With hawks it's more like with bluestripe pipefish: male + female = pair.
Calling those bonded pairs is a bit of an exaggeration.

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Zionas · 04/01/2020, 04:47 AM

Alright, so it’s okay if I put two clowns of any species, introduce them at the same time in a tank, and they’ll get along even if they’re the same size?

But for hawks, it actually has to be a male and a female as they don’t change genders?

laverda · 04/05/2020, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zionas

Alright, so it’s okay if I put two clowns of any species, introduce them at the same time in a tank, and they’ll get along even if they’re the same size?

But for hawks, it actually has to be a male and a female as they don’t change genders?

I think you need to reread what has been said already.
Two clowns of the same species, is ok if they are smaller. A female maroon clown is not likely to tolerate another type of clown and will often kill another maroon clown. Best to stick with two smaller clowns that are the same type.

He was saying any two hawks can become a pair.

djryan2000 · 04/15/2020, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThRoewer

Easy to keep - yes.
Jumpers - not particularly.

The biggest issue with them is that they are predators and will eat whatever they can swallow. Shrimp and small fish won't last long with a hawkfish in the tank.
The only ones I would consider are the the longnose and the flame hawkfish because they they are relatively small and have smaller mouths than the rest of the gang.
The longnose is probably the safest of all the hawkfish.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

+1 to long nose safety. Majority of what users have said on other forums have said their long nose isn’t predatory on cleaner shrimp. But.. there could be a bias there.

I don’t know about the others but long noses can jump - all the guides I’ve read say keep a lid!

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03/29/2020, 12:42 PM	#1
Zionas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 474	Are Hawkfish easy to keep? Jumpers? Hi, I am wondering if hawkfish are easy to keep, whether they’re easy to feed, and whether they’re frequent jumpers. How long can they live? I’m considering getting one. It’s a choice between the Falco, Coral, Flame and Longnose.

03/29/2020, 12:59 PM	#2
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	Easy to keep - yes. Jumpers - not particularly. The biggest issue with them is that they are predators and will eat whatever they can swallow. Shrimp and small fish won't last long with a hawkfish in the tank. The only ones I would consider are the the longnose and the flame hawkfish because they they are relatively small and have smaller mouths than the rest of the gang. The longnose is probably the safest of all the hawkfish. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

03/30/2020, 06:18 AM	#3
64Ivy B'rer Reefer Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Greenwich, CT Posts: 3,194	I find that Flame Hawks have a great "personality". __________________ Be Kind To The Elderly. Life Without Parole Means Nothing To Us. ToTM 3-03 Current Tank Info: Between tanks. Searching for a home

03/30/2020, 02:39 PM	#7
edsbeaker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 857	I’ve had several flame hawks over the years with a couple incidents. One of my flame hawks ate my medium sized cleaner shrimp. I didn’t catch him in the act, but the tentacles hanging from his mouth was proof enough for me. 🤣. Another one I had became a snack for the dog when it jumped out of the tank while I was cleaning it. I love them so much, though. So much personality! Just make sure the tank is covered. Most fish can potentially jump, so it’s a good idea anyway. __________________ Marilyn RedSea Max-E 260

03/30/2020, 03:07 PM	#8
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	BTW, hawkfish can change sexes in any direction so making pairs is generally quite easy. Got to find the research paper later today to provide the link. Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

03/30/2020, 09:46 AM	#4
gprdypoo04 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 389	Got a flame for the last couple years. Great fish full of personality. Never seen him aggressive toward anything including invertebrates.

03/30/2020, 11:09 AM	#5
Zionas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 474	Awesome. Seems I’ll stick to a Flame or Longnose. I’d love to hear more about your experiences with their diet and whether they jump / carpet surf. I’m asking because in other places I have read multiple horror stories of people’s Hawkfish jumping to their deaths while they were out or just doing something else. From the videos I’ve watched, some of them do like to “climb” their way near the water’s surface, which makes me worried.

03/30/2020, 01:53 PM	#6
arielw Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 10	Flames are great. Hop around. Longnose are a good fish but I have had a couple jump out so I gave up on them.

03/30/2020, 04:16 PM	#9
edsbeaker Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bartlett, IL Posts: 857	I’d be interested in this. It costs a fortune to buy a bonded pair on Liveaquaria! __________________ Marilyn RedSea Max-E 260

03/30/2020, 08:21 PM	#10
Zionas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 474	For those whose jumped, did you have a tank with an open top? Did you startle then while you were cleaning tank or maybe they were startled by their tank mates?

03/30/2020, 09:27 PM	#11
gprdypoo04 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 389	My flame has never jumped as i can tell.

03/30/2020, 11:21 PM	#13
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	Had a flame hawk and never saw anyone chase it ever. My tanks are covered now. Just not worth losing fish with out a cover as any can jump. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

03/31/2020, 01:08 AM	#15
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	Posted a new thread in the Breeding Forum __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

03/31/2020, 05:57 AM	#18
Zionas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 474	@ThRoewer Nice! Thanks for letting me know. I might consider getting a pair, but do they have to be a bonded pair at the time of purchase? What’s your opinion of the other hawks like Coral and Falco? Or even the Blood Red?

03/31/2020, 09:31 AM	#19
ThRoewer Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Fremont, CA Posts: 9,555	2 of them will become a bonded pair. I would only recommend the longnose or the flame hawk. Even the flame hawk might already be a risk for smaller tankmates. The other may eat whatever they can swallow - which is far more than you might think. And fish like gobies are just the right shape to go down easy... Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk __________________ Pairs: 4 percula, 3 P. kauderni, 3 D. excisus, 1 ea of P. diacanthus, S. splendidus, C. altivelis O. rosenblatti, D. janssi, S. yasha & a Gramma loreto trio 3 P. diacanthus. 2 C. starcki Current Tank Info: 200 gal 4 tank system (40x28x24 + 40B + 40B sump tank + 20g refugium) + 30x18x18 mixed reef + 20g East Pacific biotop + 20g FW +...

03/31/2020, 11:46 AM	#20
mansorinc Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Posts: 31	They’re awesome fish, and really pretty. In my opinion they’re hardy and pretty much just hang out; but say bye to your shrimps Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

03/31/2020, 09:07 PM	#21
laverda Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 6,902	I would not count on LiveAquaria selling true pairs. __________________ 240G mixed reef, 29G SPS/LPS clam tank, 50G mixed reef Current Tank Info: 300g mixed reef, 50g cube

04/01/2020, 04:47 AM	#23
Zionas Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Posts: 474	Alright, so it’s okay if I put two clowns of any species, introduce them at the same time in a tank, and they’ll get along even if they’re the same size? But for hawks, it actually has to be a male and a female as they don’t change genders?