Firefish question

[scooters reef]

My new tank will finally be shipping soon. While it will be awhile until shipped, setup, and cycled I'll soon be getting QT tanks ready and get some of the smaller or more timid fish started in QT that would be ok in a 29g for a possibly extended period beyond the norm.

I've always liked firefish but never had one because they always seemed so timid. I've recently seen a lot of pics here of people with them, as well as places like a Dr. office with them, and mixed with tangs and other active fish. However, at least for something like a Dr. office, they have service companies that may just be replacing fish

I'll for sure have 3-4 tangs. Kole, Yellow, Powder Blue, and due to wife's insistence likely a blue regal. I'll also have at least one flame angel and a trio of Royal Grammas. There will also be some as yet undecided wrasses.

I don't want to scare the poop out of a poor firefish and have it just starve. With so many larger and active swimming fish coming down the road could a firefish possibly be ok? It will also be mostly SPS so high flow and for some reason can't see them liking that much either. Maybe I'm looking more for confirmation it's a bad idea, as opposed to asking if it could work, lol.

 

[Half Vaped]

I have a Helfrichi Firefish in my crowded 150 G and it's indeed fairly timid. Mostly stays in hiding but comes out during feeding.

In my limited experience, I think the common Red Firefish is a good deal more outgoing. Before I lost it in a tank crash, it stayed out in the open all day, even with boisterous Tangs, Angels and Wrasses swimming all around.

I also had a bad experience with a Purple Firefish in the same tank that stayed in hiding the whole time and disappeared completely within two weeks of introduction.

So basically, it could work, but no guarantees. Use an acclimation box to boost your chances.

 

[VoiceInTheDeser]

I kept one a while ago and they are cool to look at. Once they are comfortable, they tend to just chill in a specific place, typically near a cave that they "dart" into when startled. Mine just floated near this one rock with a narrow opening in it and disappeared in a cloud of sand when I came up to the tank too quickly or a fish spooked him. He always was quick enough to get food, but I never kept him with anything particularly aggressive.

 

[scooters reef]

Thanks for the input so far. It would just be the more common red firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) so if introduced early and a tank this size maybe it would work out There will also be a lot of hiding places.

Not decided, but appreciate the input, and so far at least it doesn't look like an irresponsible attempt.

 

[TauntingBeef]

My exquisite firefish is no slouch he holds his own against my wrasses and he didnt like my royal gramma ither would chase it

 

[scooter31707]

I have one in my tank and it is out and about all day. Doesn't swim too much, more stays in one area near its burrow. Mines was timid for a little while until he got use to the tank. He does avoid bigger fish and he was added first to the tank along with my clowns and fairy wrasses.

 

[sde1500]

My purple firefish is always out swimming around the tank. And doesn't let any fish mess around near it's bolt hole, saw it chase my fairy wrasse away just this morning. I don't have any real big aggressive fish though, biggest is the Melanurus that sometimes bullies the fairy wrasse.

 

[BlackTip]

I have one of the cheapest red firefish. She has been in my DT for over a year. She is out and about 90% of the time. Occasionally, she disappears for a day or so. Cool looking fish. I am always thinking of adding few more, but I am afraid that they won't get along.

 

[GimpyFin]

I think they're great fish. I've got a helfrichi and a purple that act like a bonded pair and are always together. Helfrichi was a little timid at first but they're almost always out swimming in the front and share a burrow near the front corner in the rocks. Also have many other active fish in the tank. Have had the purple for about 3 years and the helfrichi for about 1.5 years.

 

[scooters reef]

Thanks again all !!! I think I'll go ahead and get one. Besides being one of the first to be introduced it will also work well if stuck in QT a bit. LOL, assuming I have it well covered so no carpet surfing

 

[scooter31707]

Mines don't even explore the top third of the tank. IMO, fish only jump out when they are scared or they are being chased.

 

[xanthurum]

Firefish no matter what type can be very outgoing and personable fish. I have a pair of Helfrichi and they are always in the front a center of my tank. The key is introduce them first with other peaceful fish. Let them get established, find a home rock they can dart into if scared. After I QT new fish and then add them to the display my firefish will be a bit shy but not for long and soon get back to their center stage places.

 

[snorvich]

Thanks for the input so far. It would just be the more common red firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) so if introduced early and a tank this size maybe it would work out There will also be a lot of hiding places.

Not decided, but appreciate the input, and so far at least it doesn't look like an irresponsible attempt.

I would go for it; but no cleaner wrasses