Shy Flame Hawkfish

[MuffsAbby]

I bought a flame hawkfish almost a week ago. He's currently by himself in my QT. He's very shy...spends most of his time hiding, although he will pop out for food. Still, he won't venture too far, preferring to wait for the food to float his way before popping out real quick, and then popping back in his hiding spot(s). The QT is cycled, water parameters are good, and he's not on any medication.

To those who have (or had) a flame hawkfish...are they a shy fish? Or is his shyness more likely a case of him needing to feel a bit more at ease before showing himself? Was yours shy at first?

 

[Tat2demon]

It should get a bit more social when its around other fish.

 

[MrTuskfish]

IME, it takes a while, but they eventually get used to the Food God and will perch in the open almost all of the time. A week isn't enough for many fish to really get used to things. Great little fish, you'll love him!

 

[snorvich]

Agree with the above. Super personality, will end up watching you as much as you watch him. They do, however, eat shrimp.

 

[jt_milstead]

This is very common. After he is moved into your display tank, it will take a little time for him to get used to his new surroundings. Once he is settled he will show tons of personality. Im curious though, how big he is, if he is on the small side he might stay hidden a bit. As Snorvich said they will eat shrimp. I had one eat 6 peppermint shrimp.

 

[MuffsAbby]

Thanks to all for the responses! I'd heard about the dangers to shrimp, but I don't have any shrimp and no plans to keep shrimp, so that's ok. He's very small...about 1.5 inches, including tail. I think he's scared of people and/or not used to people. My QT is in my den, which is a rarely-used room and is very quiet. When I peek around the corner, I often see him out and about, but as soon as I come into the room, he zips back into hiding...although he seems to be getting a little braver, since he now often peeks out of his hiding spot to watch what I'm up to.

I plan on leaving him in QT until the end of January, following which he'll go into the DT, assuming all is well. I suspect you're right, jt_milstead...there will likely be another round of hide and seek at that time!

 

[jt_milstead]

Great fish. They have tons of personality. Once he matures and i used to his permanent environment, he will start to follow you around the tank.

 

[JSeymour]

I have a few hawks in my home aquariums. All of them are what I guess you could call 'tap' trained. Every single time I feed them, I give two small taps. It takes a few days to a week, but pretty soon you can call your hawk over with a couple taps. Hawks are typically very outgoing, he just needs some time.

My flame hawk is a photo-hog. Anytime I go to take a picture of the tank he's in, he'll come swooping in for the shot.

 

[MuffsAbby]

A great photo of a lovely fish! Thanks for the idea, Jason. I shall give your "tap-training" a try, once he seems a bit more comfortable in his new home. On the plus side, he does seem to be getting a little braver each day.

 

[Remn]

my flamehawk wasnt shy one bit.. on day one mine out and about just staring back me. Wonderful fish!