So I purchased two Helfrichis today for $44.95 a piece, I know it was a super deal. There were three in the tank and I took a chance on the two that were swimming near each other. I put them in my tank and they have been swimming right next to each other the whole time so I'm hoping they are a pair. I don't want the fish to fight leaving me with only one, which would offset my super deal. Anyways, I've read that they do not like warmer water and my temperature normally hovers around 80-82 degrees F. Should I be worried? Should I try to lower the temp with some fans?
Helfrichis
- Thread starter JDuong916
- Start date
degibson84
New member
What else is in the tank? Do you need the warmer waters for something else? I keep my tank at 78. Lower electricity costs keeping it a little cooler too
steelersfan
Member
Based on my experience, I think that you should separate the two fish. I purchased a bonded pair from Diver's Den, and at first they were getting along just fine. After a few months, one of them would continually harass the other, to the point that the fish never came out again and perished. I would have pulled one of the fish, but it was virtually impossible. Just my experience.
It will work for a few months, then not work.
eatbreakfast
New member
I have had success keeping prs of all 3 species of firefish in prs for 18-24 months, purchasing based on 2 swimming closely together like you did.
Many have tried pairing firefish and had the experiences of previous posts were they were fine for awhile then had aggression issues. Much of the difficulty in pairing these fish is that they are not sexually dichromatic, and it is not even known whether dartfish are born male or female or whether they are protogynous or protanderous hermaphrodites. When pairing other kinds of fish knowing their roles can help determine how best to pair them.
Also, a fish the size of a dartfish is going to have immense predatory pressure against them, in aquaria this is not the case, so we do not know the affects the increased longevity has on their social stucture and whether the instances ofone member turning on the other is a facet of this.
Pairing firefish can be tricky, but it is possible.
Fish Biscuit
Active member
I also purchased a pair of Helfrichis from a LFS & they are now divorced. I knew I was taking a chance & I paid way more for mine than $90 lol. Be prepared to split them up, if you have to get a nano ready for one of them I would start now so the tank is cycled & ready to go if don't have another tank or someone that can take one in a pinch.
Everything was good for about 3 months & there was spawning activity after 10 days in the tank. One day I noticed one chasing the other across the tank aggressively. The one being chased had found a place to hide under my button coral & sat there for a few hours before the aggressor went in there & chased the poor thing out only to pick on it some more.
My tank is at work so when I came in the next morning both fish had nipped fins & the aggressors' tail was slightly shredded looking. I made the decision to separate them before one died. 2 girls & maybe 15 minutes later we had a Helfrichi sitting in a pitcher & taking a car trip. Luckily the aggressor was caught & now lives at a friend's house in a nuvo 30 scared to death of a nosy ocellaris clown.
Everything was good for about 3 months & there was spawning activity after 10 days in the tank. One day I noticed one chasing the other across the tank aggressively. The one being chased had found a place to hide under my button coral & sat there for a few hours before the aggressor went in there & chased the poor thing out only to pick on it some more.
My tank is at work so when I came in the next morning both fish had nipped fins & the aggressors' tail was slightly shredded looking. I made the decision to separate them before one died. 2 girls & maybe 15 minutes later we had a Helfrichi sitting in a pitcher & taking a car trip. Luckily the aggressor was caught & now lives at a friend's house in a nuvo 30 scared to death of a nosy ocellaris clown.
The LFS didn't tell me these two were a pair I just picked them because they stayed near each other and there were three helfrich's in the tank. My tank is a 120 with plenty of other shoaling fish; if aggression becomes a problem shouldn't my tank be big enough for them to part ways peacefully?
steelersfan
Member
I had my pair in my Elos 120XL (48"x31.5"). At the beginning, they got along great, swimming next to each other. Based on my experience and many others, it will not work. I would not try it again!!!
Fish Biscuit
Active member
I know you just picked 2 that were swimming together & are taking a chance.
Even with a 120 it may not be big enough to keep them both. You'd be surprised to see such a pretty little fish turn into a monster & those suckers are quick. They went from one end of my tank to the other in less than a second. A 120 just gives them more room to build up speed for the chase.
Even with a 120 it may not be big enough to keep them both. You'd be surprised to see such a pretty little fish turn into a monster & those suckers are quick. They went from one end of my tank to the other in less than a second. A 120 just gives them more room to build up speed for the chase.
Recently had a trio. Two turned on one. I have never seen such determination in a fish, let alone two fish as a team, AND let alone such a small, diminutive fish to boot!
From one side of the tank to the other, in every crevice in the LR, wherever that poor 3rd helfrichi went, the other two would descend upon it. I have really never seen anything like it. Even in FOWLR and aggressive tanks. Some stroke of luck with the net and I was able to grab the singled out fish, which was ragged, fins shredded. Only reason. It didn't die is IMO I was right there watching when things got real nasty.
Now I have the remaining pair. Living harmoniously under a watchful eye.
Too much stress for the fish and ME!!
From one side of the tank to the other, in every crevice in the LR, wherever that poor 3rd helfrichi went, the other two would descend upon it. I have really never seen anything like it. Even in FOWLR and aggressive tanks. Some stroke of luck with the net and I was able to grab the singled out fish, which was ragged, fins shredded. Only reason. It didn't die is IMO I was right there watching when things got real nasty.
Now I have the remaining pair. Living harmoniously under a watchful eye.
Too much stress for the fish and ME!!
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