fire fish and purple fire fish?

[nightfire]

hey guys im thinking of adding some fire fish....i like the standard fire fish and the purple fire fish.....so im wondering would 2 of each in my 55g be ok or is that a bit too many since they are territorial? or maybe just one of each? or do they do best as a pair.....i know i'd need to make a yop for the tank sice i have read they seem to like to jump...but other then this i dont know much bout them...asking cause i saw em at pet palice and thought they might be cool in the tank....thanks guys

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

I wouldn't mix the two types in your size tank - go with one or the other. I'd just get one, unless they are a mated pair (like other fishes, they may fight). The purple are supposed to more aggressive and the orange/red more timid, according the descriptions in the Scott Michael books. And yes, they can be jumpers - so you'll need a lid or screen.

 

[estutesman]

I have one of each in my 125. The red one was there for more than a year, the purple has been in there since around September. In my experience, they seem not to even notice one another. My tank is open on top, and I've had no jumping so far.

My only recommendation is to make sure they have a place to hideout. The purple one is usually hiding from my Foxface under a rock.

Just my experience, but they are beautiful. Good luck.

 

[nightfire]

thats cool....wonder if anyones ever had then like that in a tank my size lol

 

[NeedBiggerTank]

Incidentially, we got a purple firefish way back when we started our tank. We only had him for about two weeks - the other fish basically ignored him. Unfortunately for the firefish, we didn't know we'd picked up a mantis shrimp in the LR we'd purchased. Poor little fishy was fately wounded. Shrimp and firefish are now both in salt water heaven.