Helfrichi Firefish Question

[SkullV]

Hey everyone, got a new 2.5" Helfrichi Firefish the other day from divers den. It is out and about in my Nanocube every day but it extremely skittish. Doesn't have any problems with my pair of ocellaris clowns but the second that you touch the tank for any reason it's gone for hours. Luckily I have a full top and "fish guard" so I don't have to worry about it jumping.

Will it eventually get used to people walking around and me opening the tank to feed? It's just an expensive fish to not be able to enjoy!

 

[Enyo]

Yes, once acclimated over a week or so it will be out and about.

Helfrichi Firefish are from my experiences the most active and personable of Firefish species. Mine is always trying to school with my Chromis and a few times I've seen it trying to have slumber parties with my Blue Spot Jawfish (much to the Jawfish's dismay).

It's worth mentioning that if you disrupt the tank by putting your hands in or by turning up a powerhead, that it will hide for an hour or so and that is normal. Simply feeding the tank should not cause it to hide after it's used to the habitat.

Most other fish wont harass them too bad, but there are exceptions. My Maroon Clown ignores it but I've seen the Chromis tear a fin or two.

Hope this helps.

 

[snorvich]

What is a fish guard? You need to have no openings and egg crate will not keep them in. The clowns may eventually be a problem.

 

[davocean]

Yep, when it comes to carpet surfing they get the gold IMO.

 

[SkullV]

What is a fish guard? You need to have no openings and egg crate will not keep them in. The clowns may eventually be a problem.

I have a full glass canopy on the tank but there is still a 1/2" gap between the canopy and the divider between the front display tank and the filter chambers. I glued a 1/2" piece of acrylic so NOTHING can get between the display and filter.

Yep, when it comes to carpet surfing they get the gold IMO.

Good think they can't jump. My girlfriend would kill me if that fish died.

 

[Enyo]

SkullV has a Nanocube and I'm assuming the "fish guard" is something that covers the back chambers.

Should be good to go as far as jumping.

 

[SkullV]

Well I saw him for about 15 seconds so far today. As soon as my friend approached the tank he was gone!

Plus I added an emerald crab today so that will probably freak him out too.