The sea slug
New member
It's probably not a big deal, but one of my firefish has a tattered-up tail. Do you think that it's a problem (he's still swimming fine) and if it is an issue, what should I do?
Firefish
- Thread starter The sea slug
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The sea slug
New member
37 gallons, three clownfish, one banggai cardinalfish, a yellow clown goby and two more firefish.
eatbreakfast
New member
The other firefish are the culprits. Two will pr up and kill the odd man out.
Fish Biscuit
Active member
You need to rehome him or get rid of the other two, the tail will eventually heal on its own. You will also need to get rid of a clown before they pair up & kill the odd man out.
The sea slug
New member
Huh. Ok, thanks.
SoloChromis
New member
If I had to guess, it's probably your other firefish. That being said, tattered up fins aren't really gonna cause any harm until the fin is totally destroyed and can no longer serve it's purpose. I'd rehome the "3rd wheel" firefish before it's too late
DopeCantWin
Active member
+1. The most likely eventual scenario of this tank is 1 firefish and 2 clowns.
fearyaks
New member
Hate to be 'that' guy but your tank is really stocked poorly.
Clownfish usually only exist in pairs. There are scattered reports out there with people keeping multiples, but not in a tank <100G
Firefish should be kept singly. There are some reports of people pairing up two but nothing definitive long term.
For both Clowns and Firefish, it seems that they can and often will get along for a few months and then suddenly, they will start going after the odd one out until that one is killed or starves to death.
My thoughts -
1. Get rid of all but one Firefish. If you're really bent on keeping a pair then re-home the one that's getting the crap kicked out of it to see if the other two will pair up.
2. Rehome one of the Clownfish. Try to figure out which two are paired up and then give the odd (man) out a new home.
Clownfish usually only exist in pairs. There are scattered reports out there with people keeping multiples, but not in a tank <100G
Firefish should be kept singly. There are some reports of people pairing up two but nothing definitive long term.
For both Clowns and Firefish, it seems that they can and often will get along for a few months and then suddenly, they will start going after the odd one out until that one is killed or starves to death.
My thoughts -
1. Get rid of all but one Firefish. If you're really bent on keeping a pair then re-home the one that's getting the crap kicked out of it to see if the other two will pair up.
2. Rehome one of the Clownfish. Try to figure out which two are paired up and then give the odd (man) out a new home.
Reef Frog
New member
I hate to say it but an injured fire fish probably won't live very long. Hope I'm wrong.
I've had healthy ones for a few years simply give up and die when a new fish addition ejected them from the hierarchy without any violence or offer some food competition. They are delicate fish - harder to keep than some sources have you believe. Good luck.
I've had healthy ones for a few years simply give up and die when a new fish addition ejected them from the hierarchy without any violence or offer some food competition. They are delicate fish - harder to keep than some sources have you believe. Good luck.
eatbreakfast
New member
Unless it is a congeneric or a significantly more aggressive fish, such as a dottyback or damsel, I just haven't found this to be the case. Firefish, while docile, are quite hardy, disease resistant, accepting of food, and resilient in their recovery once removed from the source of aggression. Torn and tattered fins grow back in short order as long as not completely gone.
DopeCantWin
Active member
Just like most rules, there are exceptions. You've also not had them for a long time.
