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small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 4:05 pm
by zenrow_8
Looking for a carnivorous fish to add to my 80 gallon reef. I've got a few fish already - two small percula clowns, a yellow tail blue damsel, and a yellow watchman goby. Also have a pyramid/turbo snail and a green finger/leather coflake. Recently added some live shrimp to the tank, but they're too big for my current fish to eat. They've been eating leftover food instead, which is a bit of a waste since my hermit crab sadly died from starvation. I'm after a fish that'll fit in with my current tank inhabitants and eat the feeder shrimp, but won't bother the other fish, snails, or coflakes.
Re: small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 4:55 pm
by Riveno9
A Scarlet hawkfish could be a great addition to your tank. They're really attractive and have fantastic personalities, which would make them a pleasure to watch.
Re: small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 6:36 pm
by brunobear
I was thinking the same thing, a Scarlet hawkfish would be perfect. However, it really depends on the size of the shrimp and the hawkfish itself - if the hawkfish is still small and the shrimp are huge, it might not even bother eating them.
Re: small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 7:33 pm
by coltin
I'd consider just letting the shrimp do their thing as cleaners in the tank. When they breed, their larvae will be plankton and likely get eaten by the fish and corals in the tank.
Re: small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 9:08 pm
by zenrow_8
I'm still considering the hawkfish, but I'd like to explore other options too. A dwarf lionfish might be a possibility, but I'm concerned it could see my snail or other fish as food. Are there any other carnivorous fish that are relatively calm, yet still visually appealing? I'd love to find something that's not too active, but still enjoyable to watch.
Re: small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 11:02 pm
by zenoxa
The dwarf lion is unlikely to bother your snail, but it might see your other fish as potential meals if they're small enough. I think a wrasse would be a better fit, maybe a Thalassoma or Novaculichthys - they'll eat invertebrates like your shrimp and worms. To be honest, though, if it were my tank I'd just let the shrimp be, they're not doing any harm.
Re: small meat-eating organisms
Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 12:22 am
by EagleFly
zenrow_8 wrote: ↑Sun Jul 27, 2025 4:05 pm
Looking for a carnivorous fish to add to my 80 gallon reef. I've got a few fish already - two small percula clowns, a yellow tail blue damsel, and a yellow watchman goby. Also have a pyramid/turbo snail and a green finger/leather coflake. Recently added some live shrimp to the tank, but they're too big for my current fish to eat. They've been eating leftover food instead, which is a bit of a waste since my hermit crab sadly died from starvation. I'm after a fish that'll fit in with my current tank inhabitants and eat the feeder shrimp, but won't bother the other fish, snails, or coflakes.
I always recommend these, a Fu Manchu Lion is a great choice, they only get to 4" and they're really attractive too.