Hi. New to the site. New to the hobby. Got a purple firefish, only fish in the tank. It's been a couple of days, and I think I saw it once the whole time. There was another purple firefish tank mate at the shop, and they seemed to be cooexosting well together. Think getting the former tank mate firefish from the shop would make mine feel more comfortable at home, or just give him time? How long before I should worry, and move rock to go hunting for him? Have a Biocibe 29. Lots of places to hide in the rock. Thanks in advance.
Purple firefish hiding
- Thread starter Buhbuh
- Start date
Really? I've had 3 Co exist in a 30 gallon for 3+ years
You are very lucky. It rarely works.
Dkuhlmann
New member
In the wild when no fish are present in an area fish see this as a sign of possible predator is around so its not safe to be out and about. When other fish are present and all playing happily then it's ok to be out because there's no predators around. I believe this is how the fish react to both situations and why.
So once you get more tank mates your fish will be out more than just at feeding time. I agree with Steve, only one per tank. They usually dwindle down to one, yes there are some exceptions but they're rare.
So once you get more tank mates your fish will be out more than just at feeding time. I agree with Steve, only one per tank. They usually dwindle down to one, yes there are some exceptions but they're rare.
Ok. Thanks again go all the good advise. I'll stay away from another firefish, and look into getting one of the goby I was reading into.
I understand the clowns can become aggressive, but have read the percula are more peaceful. Is that on a case by case basis, or are they generally more peaceful? Are clowns in general a risk to bully more docile tank mates or are there some that are better with more timid fish?
I understand the clowns can become aggressive, but have read the percula are more peaceful. Is that on a case by case basis, or are they generally more peaceful? Are clowns in general a risk to bully more docile tank mates or are there some that are better with more timid fish?
Shawn O
Active member
My Ocellaris are pretty peaceful fish, although they're not full grown yet, and that may make a difference. The only bullying they do is the female on the male, which is usually pretty mild. They don't bother my Pajama Cardinals or the Neon Dottyback. I believe Ocellaris are the most peaceful, followed by the True Perculas.
bat21
New member
Clowns tend to get aggressive when they are defending their eggs. If you just got a single clown, occelaris or perc, I would expect it to be pretty peaceful.
Fish Biscuit
Active member
Possum wrasses are nice little fish once they get settled in, a goby & pistol pair would work too.
Fish Biscuit
Active member
Both my goby pistol pairs were unpaired, they will find each other eventually.
When I upgraded from a 12g cube to a 40b they split up & went on opposite sides of the tank for weeks. Eventually the pistol went to join the goby on the other end.
Just release them on the same side of the tank. There are some very interesting articles on the relationship if you google it. I've had a tiger pistol that was a model citizen, when he passed I replaced him with a candy cane that I see only every few months but I here it popping in the tank at night.
When I upgraded from a 12g cube to a 40b they split up & went on opposite sides of the tank for weeks. Eventually the pistol went to join the goby on the other end.
Just release them on the same side of the tank. There are some very interesting articles on the relationship if you google it. I've had a tiger pistol that was a model citizen, when he passed I replaced him with a candy cane that I see only every few months but I here it popping in the tank at night.
Would you suggest getting an unpaired set at the same time then? I hear you said you got a tiger. I've read a few things where people said they suspected their pistol killed the goby and other tank mates, with a tiger being the culprit. In your opinion, is one pistol species more docile than another? I'm sure other factors play in...the individual, did the pistol feel threatened, etc. But, I guess the question stands. Do you feel one is more docile? I'd just hate to put the money into a fish, as well as not wanting to put an animal in harms way unnecessarily if it could be avoided. Now that I think of it, I was thinking of adding a sexy shrimp, and would like to find a bumblebee shrimp as well. Any risk to them with a pistol?
Sorry. Newbie with lots of questions. Feels like more often than not the answers are on a case by case basis.
Fish Biscuit
Active member
I had the tiger pistol with peppermints & cleaners. He never killed any fish or inverts. I had seen him pop at the Randall & the goby pushed a snail shell into the pistol & it went back in the burrow. If you want a yasha goby then go with the candy cane as those fish are very timid.
I never see the candy cane so I can't say if there's a difference in demeanor.. All individuals are different, wrasses are supposed to be peaceful & I've returned a fairy & lost a flasher that harassed the mandarin.
Get the goby & the pistol at the same time.
I have sexy shrimp now & they went down the overflow into the sump. I can't get them out without taking the sump apart so they will stay there. Keep in mind that most fish will be able to eat them. Once they are gone I won't be getting anymore.
How big is your tank? I have more issues mixing shrimp more than anything.
I never see the candy cane so I can't say if there's a difference in demeanor.. All individuals are different, wrasses are supposed to be peaceful & I've returned a fairy & lost a flasher that harassed the mandarin.
Get the goby & the pistol at the same time.
I have sexy shrimp now & they went down the overflow into the sump. I can't get them out without taking the sump apart so they will stay there. Keep in mind that most fish will be able to eat them. Once they are gone I won't be getting anymore.
How big is your tank? I have more issues mixing shrimp more than anything.
I have a candy cane pistol shrimp and red banded highfin goby that were paired up when I purchased them. Awesome to watch and the pistol shrimp is a model citizen. My nassarius snails will find there way into their hole and pistol shrimp actually lift them out of the whole and place them outside. Never had any issues with the pair and I have amends skunk cleaner shrimp with them as well.
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