purple firefish vs red firefish

[sarahlovesfish]

I used to have a red fire goby, but it died a while ago. I am going to replace it with either another red fire goby or maybe even a purple fire goby. I love both, but I cannot decide. is there any differences between them except appearance? should I get just one or a pair? thanks

 

[RayL]

Go with the Helfrichi instead

 

[mcrbar910]

I have 3 red they hang out together and are very visible in the front of my tank

 

[leveldrummer]

no difference other then price. they both behave the same, the purple tends to get a tiny bit larger in my experiences. Ive never had luck keeping more then one of the same kind, but one purple and one red mixed together just fine.

 

[cFloor]

I have 2 red ones that hang out together. I love them, best $10 I've spent.

 

[JP SPS]

I have 2 red ones that hang out together. I love them, best $10 I've spent.

This. They all look and behave pretty much the same. The only real difference is the price. Do you want a $10 red firefish, a $30 purple, or $90 Helfrichi? The choice is obvious to me, and I've kept all 3 in the past. I actually prefer the look of the red ones best. Can't figure out why anyone would spend the extra money on the Helfrichi when they look so similar.

 

[RayL]

This. They all look and behave pretty much the same. The only real difference is the price. Do you want a $10 red firefish, a $30 purple, or $90 Helfrichi? The choice is obvious to me, and I've kept all 3 in the past. I actually prefer the look of the red ones best. Can't figure out why anyone would spend the extra money on the Helfrichi when they look so similar.

The colour is much nicer and they are not nearly as timid as the red or purple. Mine has never hid when the lights are on, I have had two and they are centre of the tank the entire time, they just don't hide. Amazing fish, worth every cent

 

[fish geek]

I personally like the helfrichi firefish.

 

[Savoie83]

I have a red firefish for month and add a purple 2 week ago and they are doing good so far.
They even sleep in the same hole at night. I wanted to remove the red but I can't catch him so for now they will stay together.

 

[DopeCantWin]

Be careful with more than 1, I've read in a lot of cases you'll end up with 1, just a matter of time.

 

[ThreeMoneyJ]

I've had 2 purples for over 2 years. They are almost always within a few inches of each other and they are always out in the open.

 

[Grimmin]

at one time I had both a purple and red. the purple ended up dying but the red is still in my tank today. in my experience the Reds seem to live longer and school together better.

 

[Anemone12]

I would go with the purple if you only looking to buy one. It would be best to buy 2 or 3 red ones

 

[dixiedog]

My new purple hides a LOT. Do they hide less if there's more than one?

 

[RayL]

My new purple hides a LOT. Do they hide less if there's more than one?

A lot of it will have to do with the tank mates

 

[SOCOMMike]

Like other dartfish, they do have an uncanny ability to jump out of the tank though! Hope you have a canopy, especially if you get the Nemateleotris helfrichi.

 

[dixiedog]

When I was a noob, I put a N. magnifica in my (uncovered) 29g, because a local reefer told me the whole jumping thing was overblown, they'd had one for a long time, and it didn't jump.

Mine jumped in less than 48 hours.

 

[JP SPS]

The colour is much nicer and they are not nearly as timid as the red or purple. Mine has never hid when the lights are on, I have had two and they are centre of the tank the entire time, they just don't hide. Amazing fish, worth every cent

I've owned red and purple firefish for over a decade and never had a single one that I would describe as "timid". They are all out the large majority of the time, and only dart under the cover of a rock when threatened. Mine hold their own with bigger anthias, chromis, and clownfish.

 

[cFloor]

^ Mine are the same, out swimming around with my small wrasses all day long, never hides

 

[Sacohen]

I have a red & purple. The do fine together.