firefish

[sillygoose]

I've heard differing opinions on whether or not firefish will school - happily. I am trying to figure out what fish - if any - that I will add to our 90 gal reef. We currently have a yellow tang, clown, shrimp goby, pajama cardinal, chalk bass; and a mandarin. I thought it would be cool to have a school of small fish if they would be happy. What do you think?

 

[Akwarius]

Firefish are typically very shy. Your tang and clown will likely cause them to hide. I also wouldn't really say that they "school"- more like "hover in place parallel to each other".

 

[sillygoose]

Are there any good candidates for small schools - coral safe

 

[platiumfingers]

............

 

[sillygoose]

I've thought about Green Chromis but was concerned that they could be too damsel-like in their behavior and beat up on my cardinal.

 

[ynnhoj86]

you can get a trio of Heniochus. They school and look awesome

 

[Bifferwine]

It's really unlikely that chromis would beat up your other fish. They are very peaceful for damsels.

But chromis, although they are often considered "schooling fish" have a tendency to pick each other off one at a time.

 

[prickles]

I have a school of 6 chromis and a separate group of 5 helfrichis. When I had 6 helfrichis, they schooled, now they hang out in pairs mostly. my chromis school and don't bug anyone. I would agree with the chromis picking each other off, the first school did that and the last one died of lonliness or something. This one hasn't lost a member in a year. I believe rob at SW has about 6-10 red firefish that are schooling.

 

[sharkysdad]

I thought fire fish are bullys to eachother unless they pair up? Would be really sweet to have like five or so hovering around together. I like chromies or anthias in a school! Chromies are a little easier on the good old pocket book though.

 

[wsz594]

+1 I had five chromis and they picked each other off, now I just have one.

 

[sillygoose]

Come to think of it, my son had three chromis a couple of years ago that did die off one by one. At the time, I thought it was our own lack of experience that did them in (even though other fish did fine). Maybe they were being mean to each other and we didn't know it. They are relatively inexpensive, but I would hate to have unhappy fish.

 

[prickles]

I believe Rob over at SWSW talked about a "harem" for chromis. I think males might kill each other and so if you have 1 male and 5 females, you're good. I have no idea how to tell the sexes apart though. Here's my helfrichis pre crash.

 

[sharkysdad]

I see about $700 worth of little fish there! The do looke spectaular though.

 

[Big Jay D]

I think that Chromis have a 25% survival rate. Don't know why. I have 3 Chromis but it took about 12 to get 3 to live.

 

[Bifferwine]

Anthias are probably the easiest (and prettiest) schooling fish to keep. They need to be fed frequently at first, but I've found that once you get them fattened up, you can feed them less often.

 

[sharkysdad]

I see about $700 worth of little fish there! The do looke spectaular though.

So I just read my post...can't spell plus fat fingers make for a ghetto looking response.

 

[prickles]

that's weird, i can't keep anthias alive for more than a couple of months. Haven't lost a chromis from this bunch of 6 though. I do love my helfrichis, and they really seem to be hardy fish. I lost one in a tank tear down....I feel really bad about that one...totally not his fault. You get them cheaper if you buy them all at once I have found.

 

[sillygoose]

I love Anthias, although the one I got didn't last very long. I'd love to try again. I usually feed my tank once per day, but I've heard the gamut from a couple times per day to once every three days.

 

[prickles]

for some reason baby purple square anthias are awesome in my eyes, but I don't like the big ones. I think a big purple square is about the strangest thing nature could do to them!! I think it's not as distinct as they age though.

 

[poohmalley]

I have 2 awesome firefish in my tank..They are both usally always out and swimming around. They are just downright awesome in my eyes. I can't say they "School" so much as u want. but they are neat n awesome little fish!! As for green chromis they are on the lower end of being agressive of the damsels. This coming from someone who owns a green chromis , a Jewel damsel , and 2 yellow tail blues..By the way thoes blue and yellows are for the birds...I will say outta all my fish the Clarki clowns are the meanest in my tank!