hawk w/ any crustaceans?

[philc21]

hey im thinking about getting a flame hawk but i do want to keep some crustaceans do they just eat small shrimp or will they eat everything im hoping to get a banded coral shrimp ive seen them with hawks b4 and arrow crab and maybe a spiny blue lobster but i dont no if the flame would be ok with it i doubt it but if n e of you could let me know wut you think id appreciate it thanx

[reefrunner69]

xperience is, that if the shrimp id fair sized and is in the tank before the hawk, it will leave it alone, but anything added after the hawk is fair game, of course, ymmv.

[philc21]

thats cool thanx i was probly gunna get all the shrimps and crabs and stuff first n e way if n e one has experienced sumthing different let me know i dont wanna get a hawk that wipes out all my crustaceans

[pecan2phat]

I had (still have) a Flame Hawk with two fairly large sized cleaner skunk shrimps. They co-habitated well for about a year. Then one day I could only find one of the two shrimps, a few days later I see the antennae sticking out of the hawks mouth.

[philc21]

i just read today that the hawk will eat anything it can fit into its mouth including fish have n e of you experienced this and also would they eat hermits and snails or would the shell stop them

[reefrunner69]

The only thing any of my hawkfish have eaten was food I put in the tank, or small shrimp added after the hawk. However, it is a gamble, the information you were given is accurate, but each experience will vary. I've never seen one go after a hermit or a snail, no matter when they were added.

[philc21]

ok cool thanx guys youve been a big help i think i am gunna get one ill just make sure to wait until i think im done putting n e thing in my tank wut size tank do you guys think would be good for it for life