longnose hawkfish

[Nina51]

finally! i managed to get a picture of them perched together on a rock. they do this all the time but every time i go near to take a picture, they dart to the front wanting to be fed.

the little one is just to the left of the big one. kinda hard to see.
<a href="http://s6.photobucket.com/user/Ninapearl/media/TANK/2hawks_zps9d16d5c0.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y203/Ninapearl/TANK/2hawks_zps9d16d5c0.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 2hawks_zps9d16d5c0.jpg"/></a>

 

[SDguy]

You inspired me, Nina. I have a pair in QT as of last weekend

 

[Nina51]

awesome, peter, hope they do well for you! these are pretty much my favorite fish.

 

[johnike]

Yep, getting me a second one as well.

 

[Nina51]

i wonder if i got lucky and ended up with a male/female pair or if any combination does well together. it will be interesting to see your experiences. other than the initial "hey, who'r YOU??" when i introduced the second one, i haven't seen a single bit of aggression from either. quite the opposite, in fact...they hang together pretty much all the time now.

 

[snorvich]

I do not know how to sex them. Anyone know? Also, they learn very quickly who the goddess of food is and they will sit and watch (look at their eyes if you don't believe me) you all the time. And they want to be first at the feeding trough!

 

[SDguy]

I do not know how to sex them. Anyone know?

No clue. I had my buddy at the LFS plop them together, and they got along just fine.

 

[Ambition]

I do not know how to sex them. Anyone know? Also, they learn very quickly who the goddess of food is and they will sit and watch (look at their eyes if you don't believe me) you all the time. And they want to be first at the feeding trough!

They are protogynous hermaphrodites like wrasses, angels, and anthias. Other than the size when paired, I am not aware of any other way of telling if an individual is male or female...

 

[Nina51]

I do not know how to sex them. Anyone know? Also, they learn very quickly who the goddess of food is and they will sit and watch (look at their eyes if you don't believe me) you all the time. And they want to be first at the feeding trough!

oh, the eyes! haha! when i'm near the tank, i feel like i'm being stalked.

read a little bit online and 3 different articles say pretty much the same...

The long nose hawkfish male tends to be smaller and more colorful than the female. You can identify the male by black lines on the pelvic area and the caudal fins. They are also protogynous synchronous hermaphrodites which means they start their lives as females and then later on turn into males if necessary.

The long nose hawkfish is known to lay eggs and are the only hawkfish that has been reported to spawn in captivity.

 

[snorvich]

The long nose hawkfish is known to lay eggs and are the only hawkfish that has been reported to spawn in captivity.[/I]

Oh my! Now that would be risque! So that would make you a voyeur?

 

[Nina51]

we'll, if they're gonna bump uglies while living in a glass box, i can't help but be a voyeur. right?

 

[Fish Biscuit]

A free show at Nina's house lol

I like these guys too but I really want sexy shrimp down the road

 

[snorvich]

A free show at Nina's house lol

I like these guys too but I really want sexy shrimp down the road

No way, no how.

 

[Fish Biscuit]

No way, no how.

Oh I know!! I really liked the Pelicier's perchlet that was at Old Town & ready to give up shrimp until he told me how much. It was still there last time I was in there in March.

I need one or two more tanks going to get everything I want or a 12 step program to straighten myself out.

 

[Nina51]

A free show at Nina's house lol

I like these guys too but I really want sexy shrimp down the road

who said anything about *free*??

i have one cleaner shrimp in my tank. neither hawkfish has ever bothered him. occasionally, i will stop at the pet store and pick up some tiny ghost shrimp. they barely break the surface of the water before they're snatched up!

 

[Rea17]

Love your pair Nina. I've been on the fence about getting a couple for a while now...

 

[snorvich]

I need one or two more tanks going to get everything I want or a 12 step program to straighten myself out.

Why mess with a good thing? You would not be as much fun if you "straighten myself out"

 

[snorvich]

Love your pair Nina. I've been on the fence about getting a couple for a while now...

The Red Flame Hawkfish are also a lot of fun . . .

 

[Rea17]

The Red Flame Hawkfish are also a lot of fun . . .

I've heard that... My main hesitation on the hawks is what I've read about killing smaller fish, not sure if that's considered normal behavior though.

 

[Fish Biscuit]

who said anything about *free*??

i have one cleaner shrimp in my tank. neither hawkfish has ever bothered him. occasionally, i will stop at the pet store and pick up some tiny ghost shrimp. they barely break the surface of the water before they're snatched up!

So Nina what are you charging for the show & do we have to bring our own beer & pizza? I wonder if the shrimp is in the tank first if that keeps them from being bothered by the hawkfish. Sexies are just so little, I worry about my fire shrimp pushing them around too. I put him in first since he was so little & now he's boss shrimp of the tank.

Why mess with a good thing? You would not be as much fun if you "straighten myself out"

I probably wouldn't be as much fun, but I'd have more $ for craft beer. I'm a hard sell as it is with a horse, the fish are icing on the cake. Instead of a little old lady in a house full of cats it's going to be filled with fish, parrots, & dogs oh my!