My new purple firefish

[NMC]

This is my first fish and I'm angsting over it.

He hides constantly in the same spot. At one point he hadn't moved in so long I though he was dead, but I fed him a bit and he came out and ate and swam around...whew! Anyway, is this normal behavior for this fish?

He's in the DT. I tried the quarantine, but my tank was too small and I couldn't keep up with the water changes. I was using a 6 gallon Fluval edge. I was having to do multiple water changes a day to keep the amonia down. I work 12 hour shifts and the amonia would climb too high in that time. I had no other tank, so into the DT he went. Lesson learned. I'll be getting a bigger quarantine tank. The amonia never got really high, just .25, but I wanted 0. Like I said, I'm angsting over my first fish.

 

[Cicatrix]

I think if you provide more information it would help to better answer your question.

How long has the fish been in tank?

How long has your tank been established prior to introducing the fish?

What are the water parameters in the tank?

Is your tank in a high-traffic area of the house?

IME firefish can be pretty skittish. Hopefully once the fish becomes better adjusted it will be more visible in your tank. The fact that the fish is eating is a good sign.

 

[ridetolive]

I agree with Cicatrix answer those questions for us and we can help ya more. I have a purple firefish and they are nervous acting fish. They usually have a hole in the rocks that they like to dart into when they get scared. They don't tend to swim around too much, mine just likes to hover in the water current in the middle of the tank. If he's eating thats a good sign and you were smart for adding him to the tank first as long as its been cycled. I'd say he shoud start coming out more once he gets more comfortable with his surroundings.

 

[steelwrap]

Mine wasnt a big swimmer He just hung around close to his hidey hole and vetured around now and then. If hes eating he should be ine

 

[NMC]

He was 2 days in the QT and now 2 days in the DT.
temp: 79
sg: 1.025
amonia: 0
nitrates: 0
nitrates: 0
pH: 8.2

Tank has been up and running for 2 and 1/2 months. There's the firefish, some snails, and 2 corals which seem to be doing well.

As far as traffic, I'm the only traffic! I have a kitchen/dining/family room open thing and the tank is near the dining room table...in between the kitchen and family room. It's all really one big room and it's where I am in my house if I'm not in bed or the bathroom.

 

[Cicatrix]

I say give it some time. I think your fish is displaying normal behavior for its species.

 

[snorvich]

I say give it some time. I think your fish is displaying normal behavior for its species.

I agree. They are skittish and take a while before feeling comfortable. BUT remember that when adding additional fish as they are easily intimidated.

 

[Donkeykong]

Firefish tend to like being in pairs, safety in numbers. But even then all the ones I have owned werent overly active swimmers, just kinda hanging out on there side of the tank.

 

[NMC]

I read somewhere that if you want two, you need to have a male/female pair. No clue on how to sex these guys.

 

[snorvich]

I read somewhere that if you want two, you need to have a male/female pair.

Correct, especially in smaller tanks.

 

[NMC]

Here he is! One week old and I didn't kill him. I delayed quite a bit in getting my first fish out of fear of messing up. So far so good. He actually seems more afraid of the pumps/protein skimmer than me. Whenever I turn them off, he comes out, whenever those things are on, he hides. Could just be he's associated the pumps off with getting food...

 

[Devaji108]

nice looking fish! I think he will be fine just give it time. and yes most likely he know when the food is coming.

 

[calveezzzy]

I have a regular firefish and a purple firefish, and they both hide when the lights come off, but once the light turns on in the morning they are out there hovering or swimming around! They are really skittish and will bolt into their holes/caves when frightened. I think all my fish know when it's feeding time in the morning since they all hang out towards the front of the tank begging for food! LOL

 

[trinidiver]

Thats how the usually are, i have 3 in my tank and it took nearly 2 wks for them to stay out on a regular basis. When i first got them, i thought they died after not seeing them for nearly 3 days then gradually they ventured out. I love them. They stay in my MP40's current always waiting for food.