The Critters in My Tank!

[drstratton]

Hi, my names Rene'. I thought I would introduce myself, because I'm sure I will have questions about my fish. I just received the first additions for my tank from Coral Imports. I have a pair of Purple Firefish. I just acclimated them to my QT about 4hrs ago. I tried to give them some Mysis Shrimp, but they were not interested. I didn't think they would eat, but thought I should try. My DT is cycling right now and should be ready in a few weeks for these two to move to their new home. Thought I would share a few pics!

My fish!

Their temporary home!

Their future home!

 

[drstratton]

Well my Firefish spent most of the day on opposite ends of the tank. I went down to check on them one last time and they were both snuggled up behind the sponge filter! They should have plenty of time to bond before I place them in the DT! I'm really enjoying this journey.

 

[150Ron]

Looks nice. Good luck!

 

[snorvich]

Unfortunately, unless you happened to get lucky and have a male and female, they are not likely to both survive long term (4 months approximately). One will become dominant, intimidate the other which will subsequently hide and starve to death.

 

[snorvich]

Very nice aquascaping!

 

[drstratton]

Looks nice. Good luck!

Thank you! When I first bought the tank and set it up 5 years ago, it came stocked with fish that I really loved, they had a lot of character. I added corals, but this time I get to start from the beginning!

 

[drstratton]

Unfortunately, unless you happened to get lucky and have a male and female, they are not likely to both survive long term (4 months approximately). One will become dominant, intimidate the other which will subsequently hide and starve to death.

They're a male & female! Before I ordered them I spoke with Peter from Coral Imports and asked if they could give me one of each. He said that wouldn't be a problem! They definitely have different characteristics, the smaller of the two has a less colorful and smaller first dorsal fin, I'm pretty sure that is the female. I asked Peter and I am waiting for his reply! I intend to make every effort to keep the inhabitants of my tank peaceful and happy!

Very nice aquascaping!

Thank you! I tried to make separate areas so that my fish can find their own place in their new home. The only semi-aggressive fish I'm looking at adding will be an Angelfish. I'm leaning towards a Coral Beauty!

 

[drstratton]

My Firefish accepted the Mysis shrimp I offered to them today! That is a great sign! I'm going to feed them 2 times a day, do you think I should do it 3x's? Thanks in advance!

 

[Duke4life]

2X is fine.

 

[Bent]

I've never had good luck with keeping multiple fire fish. Fingers crossed.

Also, whoever told you that lied to you. There is no way to visually tell the difference between the sexes of Nemateleotris species, nor is it known why they pair. A male and female doesn't guarantee a pair bond.

Anyway, it's a dice roll. Keep us posted.

http://www.marinebreeder.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1655

 

[drstratton]

2X is fine.

Thank you! That's what I thought, but I wanted to be sure!

 

[fearyaks]

Purple Firefish are so great. Jealous you got a pair. Mine is great and I love him (or her). Been a great member of my tank community.

 

[drstratton]

I've never had good luck with keeping multiple fire fish. Fingers crossed.

Also, whoever told you that lied to you. There is no way to visually tell the difference between the sexes of Nemateleotris species, nor is it known why they pair. A male and female doesn't guarantee a pair bond.

Anyway, it's a dice roll. Keep us posted.

http://www.marinebreeder.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1655

I hope that I don't have any problems! I've been looking at so many fish & planning the order of when to add which species to my tank. If they start to show aggression towards each other I will remove one & rehome it, if I can catch it. They both come up to the tube when I'm feeling them, so that should help. Time will tell!

I will definitely research deeper on my next addition.

 

[drstratton]

Purple Firefish are so great. Jealous you got a pair. Mine is great and I love him (or her). Been a great member of my tank community.

They're certainly beautiful! I just want to sit & watch them & they're only in my plain QT. Right now they seem to be getting along really well, hopefully that will continue. I would hate to lose or have to get rid of one. I can't wait to see them in my DT.

 

[snorvich]

I hope that I don't have any problems! I've been looking at so many fish & planning the order of when to add which species to my tank. If they start to show aggression towards each other I will remove one & rehome it, if I can catch it. They both come up to the tube when I'm feeling them, so that should help. Time will tell!

I will definitely research deeper on my next addition.

The model I have seen many times with multiple firefish is that for the first four months, all seems well, then out of the blue, one intimidates the other(s) which subsequently hide and then starve to death. (I have large tanks so finding a firefish would be virtually impossible)

 

[Bent]

Good luck. It's certainly not impossible that they will pair bond. Just keep an eye out, if one starts hiding a lot, pull the other one out.

 

[fearyaks]

Snorv - I know DD sells 'bonded pairs'. Have you seen this occur with those too or are most of the bonds 'homemade' ?

 

[Duke4life]

Are any type of wrasses, like fairies or flashers on your stock list? I had aggression between a red and purple, once the flasher wrasse went in, everything smoothed out. Last week or so I've noticed the purple go tail 1st into a small hole for a few, after it comes out the red goes tail 1st for a while (kinda odd).

 

[snorvich]

Snorv - I know DD sells 'bonded pairs'. Have you seen this occur with those too or are most of the bonds 'homemade' ?

I have purchased a "bonded pair" of Helfrichi from DD with the same result. After about 15 years of trying for a pair, I now just settle for a single. Keep in mind, that firefish are gentle fish and there are many fish that will intimidate them.

 

[drstratton]

The model I have seen many times with multiple firefish is that for the first four months, all seems well, then out of the blue, one intimidates the other(s) which subsequently hide and then starve to death. (I have large tanks so finding a firefish would be virtually impossible)

Good luck. It's certainly not impossible that they will pair bond. Just keep an eye out, if one starts hiding a lot, pull the other one out.

Thank you for the great advice! I will watch them closely if one goes into hiding I will pull the other out! I'm home most of the time, so I will be able to monitor them very closely.