Will Stephen ever come out to play

Patrick.S

New member
In case you were wondering, Stephen is a firefish. He's the first fish in my 10 gallon reef so he has nobody to bully him, but he spends all day hiding under the rock. We picked him up a couple of days ago, and he comes out to eat and then sometimes when nobody is in the room, but about 95 percent of the time he's under his rock. So here's the thing I didn't consider when I got him. I know firefish are skiddish, but the tank is in a high traffic area of the house. Will he get over it after a while? He's a gorgeous bugger, but at the moment the snails are more interesting. Do I need to reconsider my stock list?
 
first make sure you have tight lid on your tank. They are Jumpers..

Yes they timid fish . I think you need a few other calm fish and maybe it will feel safer.. but that is what they do hang out in the corner...
 
In a 10 gallon tank you probably will not be able to add a second fish. Firefish are timid, but they usually will come out once adjusted to your tank. It's not uncommon for them to take a month or two before they feel safe.
 
Having another small fish could help, but not definite. I would say give it a couple of weeks and see how the behavior changes as it gets more comfortable. If you would like, you could definitely get a clown goby (probably yellow for the popping color), to get another fish in their and make things a little more interesting.
 
Good to know that some company might do him good. I got him first knowing that you should introduce the most timid fish first. I'll give him a few weeks to settle and then find him a buddy.
 
Probably half the fish I've added to my tank have been super timid for a while, including my purple fire fish. Now it is out swimming all over the tank. Took a few weeks. If you think about it, that fish has been through a lot recently, it will take some time for it to settle in.
 
Just to make a liar out of me, Stephen spent most of the day yesterday out and about. I see how this relationship is going to be!
 
Mine hid like crazy until I added another free swimming fish then he came out and jumped.... seriously take the advice on the lid.
 
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