First fish in "the Ark"

Alberta-newb · #1 05-12-2009, 05:12 AM

Thought I'd post a couple of pics of the first fish I've put in my new 75 gal. cube "the Ark" (going in two by two

)

A pair of dwarf or falco hawkfish Cirrhitichthys falco

Picked these two up last week at Red Coral (thanks Kevin!) to add some movement to the tank. It's been up now for a couple of months and so far has served as a "hospital" tank for zoanthids and corals that the fish in my 120 have taken too much of a liking too

They're only about an inch long right now but have plenty of character.

Francis

Myka · #2 05-12-2009, 05:39 AM

Oh I love Falco hawks! Probably not the best choice as the first to inhabit the tank though, as most hawks are usually fairly aggressive, so should be added as one of the last fish to the community.

Alberta-newb · #3 05-12-2009, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myka

Oh I love Falco hawks! Probably not the best choice as the first to inhabit the tank though, as most hawks are usually fairly aggressive, so should be added as one of the last fish to the community.

True! I did a bunch of research on them before picking them up and this was one of their cons. As they are still small and the other 4 fish for the ark will be going in soon, I bit the bullet and decided to risk it (not the wisest choice but I'm impulsive). Other bad points besides the aggression is that I won't be able to keep any shrimp in this tank or fish smaller than them either...but they are so darn cute!

subman · #4 05-12-2009, 06:36 AM

I heard that to but my falco doesn't bug anyone in the tank including shrimp. They are very cool fish.

Leah · #5 05-12-2009, 12:08 PM

Your photo's are really beautiful I wish I could take some like that

And the fish are really nice too.

Alberta-newb · #6 05-13-2009, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subman

I heard that to but my falco doesn't bug anyone in the tank including shrimp. They are very cool fish.

That's good to here! I'm a little nervous how well they will play with others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leah

Your photo's are really beautiful I wish I could take some like that
And the fish are really nice too.

Thanks, only 2 good pics out of twenty

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishytime

I was wondering who got the hawkfish.....didnt realize they went as a pair. Glad you got them Francis. I was this far away from taking the third one home. Very cool fish indeed. Great shots of them too.

Thanks Doug, you guys get some great stuff in. Watch out for the third one! I purposely did not take him....lots of attitude!

Quote:

Originally Posted by snaz

Interesting wibbly bits on top of the dorsal spines, is this meant as bait to attract prey? Cool looking fish.

Not sure what the tufts are for but that is one of the ways they classify them as hawkfish.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carmen

Excellent Francis! Didn't realize it was you who took home the Falcos! They are a cute little pair!

Moving in stealth mode again, I usually sneak into the store about 5 minutes before closing, keeps Kevin on his toes

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rbacchiega

I knew there was a reason I liked you....

Gorgeous fihs

Oooh, your'e making me blush! I think I'll have a few meds of the liquid variety tonight after last night....see my next post

Francis

Alberta-newb · #7 05-13-2009, 06:30 PM

Well the hawkfish have a new temporary home....living in the sump!

Watching TV last night when I heard water running, rushed over to discover my new (used) cube cracked it's bottom between bulkheads

Fortunately I was home when it happened and I plumb my tanks for emergencies like these. Hooked up the garden hose to the outlet I plumbed into the closed loop and sent some 70 gallons down the drain. I also have a rubber membrane under the stand so fortunately the hardwood floor was largely spared.

Any live rock with corals went into the 120 (much to my angelfish's delight...mmmm new snacks!

), the rest went into the sump with the hawkfish.

Here's the offending piece:

Really surprised this went since it had been fine for months, the stand is dead flat steel with foam on top, the bulkhead holes were rough and chipped so it may have been where the problems started? Glass was 1/2" thick which should be more than enough but I'm getting a piece of 3/4" cut this time just to be sure.

What an evening!...going to hit the pub tonight I think.

Francis

fishytime · #8 05-12-2009, 12:41 PM

I was wondering who got the hawkfish.....didnt realize they went as a pair. Glad you got them Francis. I was this far away from taking the third one home. Very cool fish indeed. Great shots of them too.

Snaz · #9 05-12-2009, 12:53 PM

Interesting wibbly bits on top of the dorsal spines, is this meant as bait to attract prey? Cool looking fish.

Carmen · #10 05-12-2009, 01:33 PM

Excellent Francis! Didn't realize it was you who took home the Falcos! They are a cute little pair!