Am I playing with fire?? Longnose Hawk Question.

[woody189]

Hi. I have a 46 gal tank w/ a large Blood shrimp I plan on purchasing a large Cleaner.
I would LOVE a longnose hawk, but they are 50/50 chance of eating shrimp apparently.
I was planning on buying a real small one (If I ever find one) and adding to the tank w/ much larger shrimp.
I know some fish are much likely to eat things that they usually would, if they are larger, and in the tank beforehand, and if they are young. (Flame angels for example, I read that if you get a small one and place it in a tank w/ corals, it's less likely to eat them as it grows older. Also toby puffers, if it's in a tank w/ large shrimp when it's smaller, then they are less likely to eat them when they grow)
Does the same go for Longnoses? If I add a small one to tank w/ 2 large shrimp, do my chances of success greatly improve? Or should I just forget about it?
I know they can seem to be fine and one day SNAP!! the shrimp may be gone. Just trying to weigh the odds.
Thanks

 

[hlcroghan]

I would say go with a pygmy hawkfish if you want to chance it.....they are a lot smaller and eat smaller prey.

 

[woody189]

Originally Posted by hlcroghan
http:///forum/post/3061177
I would say go with a pygmy hawkfish if you want to chance it.....they are a lot smaller and eat smaller prey.
I read that Longnoses are the most peaceful of hawks. Besides that, Longnoses are the only ones I really like. I don't think any other hawks are worth the risk. It's a longnose, or nothing.
Thanks for the idea though.

 

[nycbob]

if u like it, get it. in this hobby, anything is possible. u might get lucky with one that wont bother shrimps.

 

[spiderwoman]

Keep him well fed and he'll be fine. I have a small flame hawk in my RSM nano and he is not touching any of the shrimp, not even S e x y shrimp.

 

[woody189]

Thanks, I think I may try it. Now I just have to find a small hawk.
I just have to figure out if I have the space for another fish. I just realized that after adding my last fish, i'll probably be maxed out.
Keep the opinions coming though.

 

[big]

Originally Posted by woody189
http:///forum/post/3061190
I read that Longnoses are the most peaceful of hawks. Besides that, Longnoses are the only ones I really like. I don't think any other hawks are worth the risk. It's a longnose, or nothing.
Thanks for the idea though.
I have always liked them too..... But I am not brave enough to try one. My Cleaner Shrimp are like little buddies.
I do remember reading somewhere that the longnose bill shape makes him the least likely to eat your other critters......
Let us know who it works out.

 

[woody189]

Originally Posted by big
http:///forum/post/3061337
Let us know who it works out.
Of course. Assuming I try it. I have to post a threading to see wheter or not I can fit another fish. If I can, I'll probably get the Hawk.

 

[sepulatian]

I have a Falco, they are basically the same as a long nose, but with a short nose. They like to mess with new guys, but leave everything that was there before them alone. If the shrimp are already in there, and you buy a small hawk, then you should be fine.

 

[sepulatian]

Ah woody189, I just realized that the maxed out post was yours. Skip the hawk...

 

[woody189]

Originally Posted by sepulatian
http:///forum/post/3061402
Ah woody189, I just realized that the maxed out post was yours. Skip the hawk...
Yea... I know

Thanks for the advise.

 

[pete159]

have you seen the size of the long nose hawks mouth?, its 25% of its body...the day it gets big enough i bet it will have the shrimp in its mouth... they dont need to swallow it, they will just kill it.
my long nose would attack any sized ghost shrimp in the tank no matter how big, i do not see why a blood shimp would be different.

 

[woody189]

Originally Posted by pete159
http:///forum/post/3061445
have you seen the size of the long nose hawks mouth?, its 25% of its body...the day it gets big enough i bet it will have the shrimp in its mouth... they dont need to swallow it, they will just kill it.
my long nose would attack any sized ghost shrimp in the tank no matter how big, i do not see why a blood shimp would be different.
The mouths of plenty of fish can fit a shrimp, but that doesn't mean they'll do it An the nose is long, not wide, so I don't THINK there is a correlation.
I understand that many people have had them eat their shrimp, but many people have also had success. That is why I made this thread to see what my chances were.
I now realized I can't get it, because I will be over stocked, but if I weren't, I would try it. I would get the smallest one I could find.
Not because I dont' value the lives of my shrimp, but anything you do in SWF is a risk, and this happens to be a risk that I would be willing to take, after doing a lot of research. You had bad luck, but others have had much better luck, even when the hawk was fully grown.
Maybe the fish would eat the shrimp, maybe not. It comes down to the individual.
I appreciate the concern though.