nuisance hawkfish?

[lost fish]

I posted a thread some time ago about an overgrowth of brownish-red algae. I have had my tank for 3 years now and never had this experience. I tried many things to correct this problem and figured one, was a short supply of algae control inverts. I then purchased 10 scarlet hermit crabs in addition to snails already present in my tank. As soon as I placed the crabs in the tank, I noticed my red striped hawkfish nipping at the crabs and the claws floating away in the water. Now again, I have no crabs. Has anyone ever had this experience and what should I do? I still have the algae problem and I am very frustrated. I was thinking of trying to capture the fish, but don't know if this is the right thing to do. Thanks in advance.

 

[lion_crazz]

That is definitely something that can be common with hawkfish. I would probably just forget about the crabs and bulk up your mexican turbo snail population. They do very well at controlling algae problems.

 

[lost fish]

I wasn't sure if this was a common behavior for Hawkfish. Your solution sounds like a good idea and I thank you.

 

[lion_crazz]

No problem. My hawkfish used to do the same thing with my crabs as well.

 

[kdfrosty]

Besides shrimp, crabs are their favorite snack.

 

[joker_ca]

hawkfish eat small inverts, that was some expensive feeders you put in yourtank
check your phosphate and nitrate levels they are usually the cause of algae

 

[connor]

i had a small hawkfish for my 29 gallon and it ate my shrimps then got ick and died

 

[monalisa]

Is your tank exposed to direct sunlight? What kind of water do you use in the tank? These factors can also lead to algea blooms.
Lisa :happyfish

 

[lost fish]

Thanks for all the replies. I have always used the same water that I buy from the grocery store. No, it isn't in direct sunlight. I also wasn't aware that hawkfish ate crabs, knew about the shrimp. I changed my lights some time ago and thought maybe the algae bloom was coming from that. The algae only appears on top and in front of my tank where the lights are situated.