Firefish in a group of 3?

[Blazer88]

I did some research about keeping firefish (regular red ones) in a small group. From what I read, the keys to success are:
Having non-aggressive tank mates
Buying them "pre" grouped from the LFS
Introducing them at the same time
Having ~20 gallons per fish for adequte "bolt holes"

Anything else? I bought three of them earlier today and really like them. They are only housed with Clowns, Bi-Color Blenny, and a shrimp Goby. So far they don't hide at all and are never more than a few inches from each other. Does anyone have any experiences with this situation? Thanks.

 

[Project Reef]

Just get one.

 

[thehedge]

Long term, 1 will the kill the rest...unless you get a TRUE harem.

 

[IanInDC]

"True harem" is....???

 

[thehedge]

A set of 3 caught as that set of 3 in the Wild and not just 3 Firefish that swim together in the LFS.

 

[McCrary]

At the fish store I work at we have kept firefish in groups in 50g tall tanks for a long time with no problems. I have never seen a problem as long as the fish have peaceful tankmates. The problems seem to arise when they get picked on by others.

 

[Amphiprion]

I have also seen N. magnifica kill each other when placed in tight spaces together. Unless they are in a "true harem", they will typically fight incessantly (especially males). I have not found them to be nearly as bad as the purple firefish, though.

 

[Project Reef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6578823#post6578823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by TurboSnail8898
At the fish store I work at we have kept firefish in groups in 50g tall tanks for a long time with no problems.

What's a 'long time'? 1 month? 2 months? 3 months? 4 months? 5 months? 6 months?? 1 YEAR!?!?

Sorry, but that's not even close to a long time when compared to the lifespan of the fish. And if your store is keeping the same group of fish for THAT long without turning over and reselling them, that's a whole other issue right there.

 

[Rondelet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6575892#post6575892 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thehedge
Long term, 1 will the kill the rest...

This seems to be the conventional wisdom on the boards. I'm with Project Reef - although I would like to know what "long tem" is with respect to when the dominant fish will kill the others. Is the size or age dependant? Does anyone have any specifics?

 

[DizziDezi2]

how would he be able to tell a male from a female? What if he got one male and two females?

 

[thehedge]

Long Term is basically not Short Term...haha. It is hard to describe.

All I can say is I have seen firefish put in tanks together at LFS no problem, with maybe 1 or so dying every week or so. And even as they ship, they ship them in bags of 5 together sometimes, and they all arrive fine.

However, I admit I tried this before, bought 3 at the same time, 1 disappeared after a month, the other disappeared after 3 months.

As I am aware, firefish are never sold as mated pairs, as a true mated series is 1 male and 2 females...I am not sure whether buying 1 male and 2 females will be enough to cause them not to kill each other off, I don't think it would work.

 

[Rondelet]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6584891#post6584891 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thehedge
Long Term is basically not Short Term...haha. It is hard to describe....

Well, that's as clear as mud!

What if you just put two together? Why does it take a while for them to turn on each other? What's the cue here - is it sexual maturation? Or do they just get mean and grumpy with old age (like Triggers and Damsels and the like)? Just seems all very vague to me. Is there any scientific rational behind any of this?

 

[DizziDezi2]

bump for wanting to know how to make a harem....

 

[thehedge]

Best chance you have is to buy like 10 juveniles, stick them in a large tank...and in maybe 6 months you'll clearly see 3 of them mate up...Most likely you'll end up getting at least 2 pairs.

I've seen this done before in a 500 gallon tank...2 were killed off...but 2 sets of 3 were formed and 2 went solo.

Other than that, you'll either have to buy a wild caught harem or you can take your chances buying 3 juveniles separately, but I haven't seen it work, although theoretically it should.

 

[Dawn II]

I bought a group of 3 last week on the same conventional wisdom. I bought 2 about 2 years ago- at first together- then on opposite sides of tank. After a few months one disappeared- now the other disappeared a month ago. I like firefish- they add a different dimension with their movemnet.

 

[JeremyT]

You could always keep them to see what happens. If you start seeing one in a corner, one or more with torn fins, or one "mysteriously" disappears; I would separate them. One thing that is a sure thing in this hobby is that you never really know what will happen. You just have to look at what everyone elses experiences are and gather your own conclusions. It's almost crazy how many times I've read that something can't be done and then read of it on RC being done successfully.

My opinion is that the chances are against them living together peacefully for a long period of time. BUT I wich you good luck!