Helfrich's firefishes...

[z's_N_p's]

do these really come from cooler waters and would require cooler temp to keep them successfully? any help or input will be appreciated..

 

[sdietz2469]

they come from deeper/ cooler water, but they seem to do fine in a typical reef aquarium....

 

[snorvich]

I keep my temperature at 78 and there seems to be no problem. They can get easily intimidated, however, in which case they hide and starve to death. This is true of any firefish though and not just Helfrich's.

 

[z's_N_p's]

cool.. thanks for the heads up..

 

[snorvich]

Oh, and be SURE your tank is covered, they will jump.

 

[z's_N_p's]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12784823#post12784823 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by snorvich
Oh, and be SURE your tank is covered, they will jump.

for sure..

thanks again..

 

[DrBegalke]

Yes, they are found 300+ ft down, in the seas south of Japan I believe.

I am not sure (and tried to research) the temperatures at that depth where they are collected...

Mine does fine in a reef that averages 82. It is also uncovered most of the time (knock on wood), and have not had any jumping. The firefish is alone in the tank though, so not much to stress him out.

Also, great fish. I highly recommend them.

 

[just dave]

Helfrich's firefish (Nemateleotris helfrichi) is the most difficult member of the genus to acquire, mainly because it is most abundant at greater depths than its congeners. This splendid species occurs at a depth range of 80 to 270 feet, but is not common at less than 150 feet. It lives over sand and mixed sand and rubble patches, on steep slopes, walls or at the base of reefs. This is a hardy aquarium fish that can be kept in a peaceful, fish-only aquarium, or in a shallow or deepwater reef tank. However, it will acclimate more quickly in the low light conditions, characteristic of its natural habitat. Helfrich's firefish will accept most aquarium foods and, like its relatives, it has a proclivity to jump out of an open aquarium and into overflow boxes.

The article can be found here.

 

[yellowslayer13]

well i had that curiosity so i looked at the temp reading on a probe i inserted into a flag rockfish and at the depth it was caught i figured they are cold blooded so what they are the second they come up is what it is and at 350 feet it was 58 degrease