Purple or Flame Firefish?

[gcgrad]

Thinking my first fish purchase for a 125 peaceful reef will be a firefish. Anyone have preference over purple or flame from experience? Also, anyone suggest keeping mated pairs as opposed to singly? Thanks

 

[MikeandNicole]

Personally I always try and pair my fish as I think you get better behavior. Just make sure with firefish you get a true pair or one will probably harass and kill the other. Also make sure the tank is covered as they are known jumpers. Personally I have always liked the purple ones.

 

[chasekwe]

I always try to get pairs and groups, just more interesting.

As to which I prefer, it's really a very hard choice. I prefer the coloration of the purple but I love those little dorsal spikes on the oranges. Ultimately I went with the orange as a result.

 

[el aguila]

It can be difficult to get a pair. Mine were inseperable for a couple of months, but are now going after each other pretty hard. I got purple ones because I like their coloration more.

 

[zooty]

Helfrichi pair if you can find them

otherwise the purple. Make sure you tank is covered too, notorious jumpers

 

[gcgrad]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I have eggcrate canopy so I should be in the clear. I do like the dorsal spikes on the flames but do like the purple coloration better. Leaning towards purple now, will make sure I get a true pair!

 

[snorvich]

I have eggcrate canopy so I should be in the clear.

Absolutely not. Egg crate will not keep them in.

 

[gcgrad]

Absolutely not. Egg crate will not keep them in.

Oh! I had been told that it would, guess I didn't think about small fish getting through. How would you combat this snorvich?

 

[snorvich]

Oh! I had been told that it would, guess I didn't think about small fish getting through. How would you combat this snorvich?

You need mesh with 1/4 inch holes. See bradleyj for a description and instructions on making it. Many jumpers can get through egg crate: jawfish, fairy and flasher wrasses, firefish, dartfish, etc.

 

[extoker]

BRS has a video showing how to make a mesh top.

 

[cside]

sorta off topic but can u have one male purple and one male flame in the same tank? obviously they are closely related and this might be a stupid question but i was just wondering

 

[Bernie21]

They'll eventually kill one off. I prefer the purple since it must be one or the other.

 

[snorvich]

They'll eventually kill one off. I prefer the purple since it must be one or the other.

That is correct, but it may take a while.