PRESTO2345
New member
Does anyone know the process of breeding Red or Purple FireFish, and how to tell the difference between male and female. Please help!!!
FireFish Help!!!!
- Thread starter PRESTO2345
- Start date
mwp
In Memoriam
Well, here's what I can tell you...I can't guarantee the accuracy of ANY of this, it's just my observations and memory.
We have a compatible pair of the standard Red Firefish. I purchased this pair by watching a group of adult fish in the LFS tank. Let me say now there is probably no really reliable means of sexing these fish. Let me also say that I'm really careful to describe these fish as a compatible pair..they've not spawned for me that I'm aware of..they very well could be 2 of the same sex.
Anyway, I watched a group of 5 mature firefish at the LFS for about an hour. 1 was being torn to shreds in the 40 gallon long. Once I identified the aggressor, I presumed I had found the male. I kept my eye on this aggressive fish who would periodically go and attack the other fish, quivering in the corner, literally shredded.
About 45 minutes into it, I noticed this dominant fish (our likely male) swim in front of another firefish and, while perpedicular, flar his fins and kinda shake a bit...he then wenton his merry way. AHA..the dominant fish had pointed out one of the girls in the tank.
I had to try really hard to keep the identifying characteristics of each individual fish in my head while the shop owner pulled out the specific fish. They were added to our 24 gallon cube at the same time and pretty much shared their bolt hole from the get-go. One is definitely fatter, larger and more outgoing..the other is smaller and spends most all of his time in the hole, only emerging to feed. If I had to say which was which, I'd guess that the male is staying in the bolt hole and the female is the larger, dominant and fatter fish who comes out more (but still hides a fair amount too).
I've heard 2 scenarios that possibly could be how firefish "do it". The first...they supposedly will spawn in the bolt hole with the male tending eggs. If that's the case, mine could be spawning all the time..I just haven't seen anything come of it.
The other thing I've heard is that Firefish actually spawn in a pit dug in the sand outside their bolt hole. Haven't seen any pits dug in my tank.
That's what I can tell you. All the information points to the fact that in a tank our size, if we did not have a mated pair one should've killed the other by now. I just don't have any "proof" but maybe someday I'll give them a dedicated breeding tank decorated with PVC and sand and an overturned tridacna shell or something...anything to make it easy to observe and see what's going on.
FWIW,
MP
We have a compatible pair of the standard Red Firefish. I purchased this pair by watching a group of adult fish in the LFS tank. Let me say now there is probably no really reliable means of sexing these fish. Let me also say that I'm really careful to describe these fish as a compatible pair..they've not spawned for me that I'm aware of..they very well could be 2 of the same sex.
Anyway, I watched a group of 5 mature firefish at the LFS for about an hour. 1 was being torn to shreds in the 40 gallon long. Once I identified the aggressor, I presumed I had found the male. I kept my eye on this aggressive fish who would periodically go and attack the other fish, quivering in the corner, literally shredded.
About 45 minutes into it, I noticed this dominant fish (our likely male) swim in front of another firefish and, while perpedicular, flar his fins and kinda shake a bit...he then wenton his merry way. AHA..the dominant fish had pointed out one of the girls in the tank.
I had to try really hard to keep the identifying characteristics of each individual fish in my head while the shop owner pulled out the specific fish. They were added to our 24 gallon cube at the same time and pretty much shared their bolt hole from the get-go. One is definitely fatter, larger and more outgoing..the other is smaller and spends most all of his time in the hole, only emerging to feed. If I had to say which was which, I'd guess that the male is staying in the bolt hole and the female is the larger, dominant and fatter fish who comes out more (but still hides a fair amount too).
I've heard 2 scenarios that possibly could be how firefish "do it". The first...they supposedly will spawn in the bolt hole with the male tending eggs. If that's the case, mine could be spawning all the time..I just haven't seen anything come of it.
The other thing I've heard is that Firefish actually spawn in a pit dug in the sand outside their bolt hole. Haven't seen any pits dug in my tank.
That's what I can tell you. All the information points to the fact that in a tank our size, if we did not have a mated pair one should've killed the other by now. I just don't have any "proof" but maybe someday I'll give them a dedicated breeding tank decorated with PVC and sand and an overturned tridacna shell or something...anything to make it easy to observe and see what's going on.
FWIW,
MP
PRESTO2345
New member
Thanks for all the info, I'm just making preperations for a 300 gallon aquarium, and trying to increase my odds of making this happen.
mwp
In Memoriam
I would think if you were really serious about breeding firefish the best way to go would be a small tank, i.e. 10-20 gallons for your pair. It allows for closer observations and easier handling. A 300 gallon...tough to do much any breeding with such a small pair of fish in there. Granted, you can easily throw in a dozen firefish and they'll probably all do well and pair up on their own...so that part may be easier.
MP
MP
PRESTO2345
New member
I haven't made a decision on whether to divide a large aquarium of go with several smaller seperate tanks....I guess that pretty much depends on how and what the fry's feed on. Eco-system wise a larger tank would be ideal, because of a more diverse food as well as more consistant water para....
jnowell
New member
I would have agreed with that idea too...before I tried fishing larvae and eggs out for a rearing tank 
I have two breeding pairs of clowns, one pair in my 100g reef, and one in a 20g breeder by themselves. It takes about five times as long to recover the fry from the 100g, and I probably only get about 70% of them, as opposed to quickly getting 95-100% from the 20g.
Your choice, if i could have a 300g on my hardwood floors, it'd be there, so I do understand
Jason
I have two breeding pairs of clowns, one pair in my 100g reef, and one in a 20g breeder by themselves. It takes about five times as long to recover the fry from the 100g, and I probably only get about 70% of them, as opposed to quickly getting 95-100% from the 20g.
Your choice, if i could have a 300g on my hardwood floors, it'd be there, so I do understand
Jason
PRESTO2345
New member
That's a very good point about recovering the fry.....hmmm
I would be able to link several smaller tanks to a larger tank via the plumbing. Sounds like the best route for me. Similar to a drawer system I have seen at a local pet shop, which I have to say is quite genius. Acrylic gravity feed plastic flexable hoses connect the tanks and they pull out like your kitchen drawer from under the light.
Any-who still look'n for more info on breeding practices. Seems to be a industry secret....
I would be able to link several smaller tanks to a larger tank via the plumbing. Sounds like the best route for me. Similar to a drawer system I have seen at a local pet shop, which I have to say is quite genius. Acrylic gravity feed plastic flexable hoses connect the tanks and they pull out like your kitchen drawer from under the light.
Any-who still look'n for more info on breeding practices. Seems to be a industry secret....
PRESTO2345
New member
Lins? Huh? Best I can do is describe it....The old man that owns the shop won't let me take any pictures....Why you ask? I have no idea. Other than he's a bitter old man.
PRESTO2345
New member
Yes It would be nice wouldn't it? They are still young but I picked ones that were different from each other in hope that i would have a pair. But it still would be nice to confirm since they don't act as a pair just yet....I've had good luck in the past breeding fish and birds, but I also went into it with reasearch. This project here i'm flying solo because I guess there is not much known.
