Purple Firefish

[Tracey2]

Is there a trick to keeping these fish? I keep achillies tang and a a regal angel but can't seem to keep firefish. I put 3 in 100g QT tank yesterday with 3 lyetail anthias and already one is missing in action. I tried 3 awhile ago and lost them all one after the other. Should they be kept in larger groups or just 1?

 

[Swolek]

Is the QT tank covered? And by that I mean REALLY covered, no tiny holes or anything.

If so, maybe it's where you're getting them from. Or their tank mates (they can be timid fish, especially at first) are bullying them. How often are you feeding them?

 

[Tracey2]

Thanks for your help. Yes the tank is covered, the first 3 I lost were in with a larger angel but I didn't see any bullying, the 3 I have now are only in with small anthias. I am an overfeeder especially in QT, they are eating but not aggressively. Is there a food they really like?

 

[snorvich]

One is best unless you have a guaranteed male/female pair. While they may coexist in other combinations, in the long run you will have only one. I feed cyclopeeze, hikari mysis, capelin fish roe.

 

[Tracey2]

Thanks, I have cyclopeeze, I will feed tomorrow. I found the third one tonight still swimming, he was in hiding under a rock though, the other 2 are sticking close together, hopefully and male female pair, how do I tell?

 

[snorvich]

Thanks, I have cyclopeeze, I will feed tomorrow. I found the third one tonight still swimming, he was in hiding under a rock though, the other 2 are sticking close together, hopefully and male female pair, how do I tell?

The third one needs to be rescued. I do not know how to sex them, but the fact they are hanging together is a good sign. Perhaps someone else will know?

 

[Moonstream]

I dont think there is a way to sex them; IME, if two stay close together and bully the 'outsider' its safe to assume they're a pair. I had a similar experience; started with three, two stayed close together strait from the LFS, the third ended up getting chased into my 'fuge twice, and when it wasnt down there its fins were tattered and it was very relatively shy.

 

[Tracey2]

thanks guys, I will see if I can get the third one to another tank.