hawkfish and cleaners

[Dustin1231]

I got a heck of a deal on some cleaner shrimp today. (2 for 20) and were going to put them in my 120 mix reef. But i also have a spotted hawkfish in the tank. All the research ive dont says not to put them with "small" shrimp... Would a cleaner be a small shrimp? The hawkfish does pick on my jawfish...
Anyone have luck keeping them together?

 

[Anemone]

Many people have luck keeping them together for some time. Heck, mine lived together in apparent harmony for 18 months. Then, my flame hawk suddenly realized that shrimp are part of its natural diet. Three shrimp dead in a day.

Then, after thinking about it awhile, I realized my cleaner shrimp were never "out and about" as much as other folks claimed theirs were. Mine seemed to stay in the rocks more. I guess they knew more than I did. Didn't save them though, when the hawk had its epiphany....

Kevin

 

[Dustin1231]

Humm... he might be coming out then.