Jaw VS/& Sexy Shrimp

MDeth · 02-14-2007, 09:49 AM

I'm going to setup a 55g FOWLR tank soon with about 60-80#LR (as soon as the basements finished

)

The fish I NEED are
1 - Dusky Jawfish
1 - Type of sand sifting goby
3 - Cleaner Shrimp (they are so cute)
1 - Target Mandarin - after pod population hits + i get a 'fuge (6mo+)
Then i havent decided yet for the remaining stock.

Unfortunately i cant get the cute little longnose hawk

as he is a threat to the shrimp.

My ? however is, the Jaws have a rep for "eating small ornamental shrimp"...If I introduce the Thor after i have some corals (bubble/frogspawn etc) do you think they have a chance, or should they just be left out?

inwall75 · 02-14-2007, 09:55 AM

First things first.....WELCOME TO 3REEF!!!

To answer your question, it's hit or miss. I've known people who've successfully kept both animals. I've also known people who bought a very expensive meal for their jawfish. Shrimp know that they are prey and are quite imaginative usually at avoiding being eaten.

MDeth · 02-14-2007, 10:00 AM

That is the quickest reply ive ever seen!

And, that makes me feel like i should go for it ! Especially with the amt of LR + SPS & LPS i plan on using.

Tangster · 02-14-2007, 11:01 AM

Like In wall said . But I'd think you would have better luck with the long nose hawk rather then a Jaw. I kept a L/N hawk for a few yrs with many types of shrimp and I never noticed many disappearing . As was also mentioned that shrimps are good at avoiding being lunch thats why you seldom see them until lights out.

MDeth · 02-14-2007, 11:40 AM

Really?

Ive heard from numerous people that the longnose are the "best behaved" of the hawks, but like many others even if well fed will decide its time for a snack one day.

amcarrig · 02-14-2007, 12:29 PM

That's what he meant by saying you'd have better luck with a longnose. They're less aggressive toward shrimp than other hawkfish

No fish comes with a guaranty though so you'd still be taking a chance.

Bruce · 02-14-2007, 02:46 PM

If we are talking about sexy shrimp...its tough to say. I have a non reef safe wrasse (i was young and the lfs told me it was reef safe...) and it doesnt mess with my shrimp...but they are pretty big. Actually when i got a small pistol shrimp it didnt waste any time to eat it up. If the shrimp looks like it can fit in the fish's mouth i think its pretty safe to call it a meal.

MDeth · 02-14-2007, 03:12 PM

What are the max sizes for longnose hawks & how big can they "open" their mouths (not that they couldnt crunch a shell as they got older).

After consideration I think ill ditch the Thors and just have 3 cleaners.

Tangster · 02-14-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MDeth

What are the max sizes for longnose hawks & how big can they "open" their mouths (not that they couldnt crunch a shell as they got older).

After consideration I think ill ditch the Thors and just have 3 cleaners.

I have had them Long nose hawks to hit 5 inches or so and some stayed al small as 2 maybe 3 inches. On average I'd say 3 maybe 3.5 or so long totaly.