Firefish compatibility

[Gunsnroses]

I have a 180 gallon tank and bought a pair of yellow and red firefish two weeks ago. I was at the fish store today and saw a beautiful pair of purple firefish I'd like to have but the fish store guy said I could not introduce another pair in the same tank because they would fight each other. Is this true?
Will I only be able to have the two firefish I already have until they die?
Or is he just being overly cautious?

 

[Xavibear]

Your two could dwindle down to one with time. Definitely can't add a third.

 

[small alien]

Correct.

 

[Fish Biscuit]

I just had a pair of Helfrichi that needed to be split up after 3 months & there was spawning behavior prior to the fighting.

Don't add another one & keep a close eye on the pair you have. It seems that all of a sudden a switch flips & it gets very aggressive.

 

[Triggerfish]

saw a beautiful pair of purple firefish I'd like to have

this is a pair as in two, not a single specimen.
just pointing this out. iv'e never kept more than 3 and from what i remember that didnt work out. not quite sure on two pairs.
with a decent size tank like yours perhaps it would be ok....

 

[Gunsnroses]

Yea, if I bought another, it would be a pair. So I would have a pair of purple and a pair of red/yellow.
4 fish total in a 180 gallon.
So far, everyone including the fish store, is against the idea of adding another pair.
It's a shame they can't get along. The purple ones sure are nice looking.

 

[Mael]

similar boat here, I have a red and a purple in the same tank. They have been very friendly with each other the last 2 months even during feedings, they eachhave their own rock they sleep behind and so forth.

That said I know I could spontaneously have them get mean to each other and if so the red will go to my brothers 110 tank. Its a shame a lot of our reef fishes dont see to get along with same types in captive environments, groups of firefish and chromis and so forth are nice.

 

[Gunsnroses]

The two red firefish I have now get along well to. They sometimes sleep in the same cave. So I definitely do not want
to disrupt that in any way.

 

[Betta132]

Firefish have a reputation for suddenly flipping out with eachother, so I'd suggest you be careful and not disrupt the pair you already have.

 

[snorvich]

Your two could dwindle down to one with time. Definitely can't add a third.

Most probable outcome over time is only one.

 

[Gunsnroses]

Firefish have a reputation for suddenly flipping out with eachother, so I'd suggest you be careful and not disrupt the pair you already have.

Sounds like great advice. I believe I will let them be.
If I loose this pair for any reason, then I will replace them with the purple.

 

[Triggerfish]

update how the pair is doing every so often. i also have a pair that just hover together in the middle of the tank all day.

 

[Gunsnroses]

They are doing great. They are eating flake, pellets, mysis and bits of krill.
They pretty much swim all over the foreground of the tank and most of the skittish behavior is gone.
They follow my diamond goby around alot because he will dig a cave and they will chill in it for a little while. Lol

 

[Mael]

same, mine eat everything except the krill and bloodworms that are too big for them. Both hang out middle front of the tank all day and evening and then go to sleep behind the rockwork as soon as the lights go out. They are both also much more friendly and outgoing, they dont scatter when I approach the tank or even when I put my hand in there anymore. We are at about 3months now of them being together.

 

[snorvich]

same, mine eat everything except the krill and bloodworms that are too big for them. Both hang out middle front of the tank all day and evening and then go to sleep behind the rockwork as soon as the lights go out. They are both also much more friendly and outgoing, they dont scatter when I approach the tank or even when I put my hand in there anymore. We are at about 3months now of them being together.

Great. Once you reach six months you are likely to be fine.

 

[degibson84]

I bought a pair of plain old firefish for a few bucks woke up one morning to just one

 

[small alien]

I don't mean to sound crass, but they're not terribly long lived fish. You'll have a chance to try purples eventually.

 

[small alien]

I could be wrong. But I think I'm right. Since we're on RC, I'm sure I'll find out either way. :twitch:

 

[Gunsnroses]

I don't mean to sound crass, but they're not terribly long lived fish. You'll have a chance to try purples eventually.

I've read that their life cycle is an average of 4 to 6 years....if they don't go carpet surfing first.

 

[Triggerfish]

I've read that their life cycle is an average of 4 to 6 years....if they don't go carpet surfing first.

thats not very long.. guess get them when their small.