Firefish Suicide?

[Mark Goode]

My tank is covered with a tight-fitting Red Sea mesh lid (8mm mesh). I have (or had) a firefish who thought he could fly - frequently ricocheting off the lid. Some months ago he jumped through the mesh while I was there to put him back; this time he was less fortunate. I found him on the floor, apparently lifeless. I picked him up to dispose of, and felt him 'twitch' very slightly. I put him back in the tank, where he sank to the bottom, apparently lifeless.

A couple of hours later I saw him briefly, swimming normally. That was three days ago, and I've seen nothing since.

 

[BristleWormHater]

They are notorious jumpers, did you ever see any other fish picking on him?

 

[Mark Goode]

They are notorious jumpers, did you ever see any other fish picking on him?

No, my tank's surprisingly free of bullies. The stock hasn't changed since he went into the tank two years ago, and is fairly peaceful.

 

[Dom]

No, my tank's surprisingly free of bullies. The stock hasn't changed since he went into the tank two years ago, and is fairly peaceful.

Observe your tank with a red light while the tank lights out. Fish are cagey; most times, their antics happen when the lights are out.

How big is your tank and how is it stocked?

 

[Mark Goode]

Observe your tank with a red light while the tank lights out. Fish are cagey; most times, their antics happen when the lights are out.

How big is your tank and how is it stocked?

The tank is 5 feet, 140 gallons including sump, minus rocks.

There are plenty of hiding places (and I do mean plenty).

Current stock:
Onespot foxface, around 6"
Singapore angel, around 4"
Hippo tang, around 4"
2x common clowns, about 1"
2x pyjama cardinals, around 2"
Springer damsel, around 1.5"
Royal gramma, around 2"

The obvious bully would be the hippo, but he's never been much of a problem; he and the foxface have fallen out occasionally, and suffered minor cuts and stings, but they've never bothered anything else.

The gramma did have a bit of a problem with the firefish in the beginning, but for the last couple of years have settled at opposite ends of the tank and rarely interact.

When the lights go out there is no activity but the cardinals.

I really can't see aggression being the problem here.

 

[Dom]

The tank is 5 feet, 140 gallons including sump, minus rocks.

There are plenty of hiding places (and I do mean plenty).

Current stock:
Onespot foxface, around 6"
Singapore angel, around 4"
Hippo tang, around 4"
2x common clowns, about 1"
2x pyjama cardinals, around 2"
Springer damsel, around 1.5"
Royal gramma, around 2"

The obvious bully would be the hippo, but he's never been much of a problem; he and the foxface have fallen out occasionally, and suffered minor cuts and stings, but they've never bothered anything else.

The gramma did have a bit of a problem with the firefish in the beginning, but for the last couple of years have settled at opposite ends of the tank and rarely interact.

When the lights go out there is no activity but the cardinals.

I really can't see aggression being the problem here.

While the fish physically fit in the tank, the amount of territory they control may be the issue. The firefish may be encroaching on their tank mate's territory.

 

[Mark Goode]

While the fish physically fit in the tank, the amount of territory they control may be the issue. The firefish may be encroaching on their tank mate's territory.

No, I think firefish just jump. No territory issues here. While the lights were on he spent his time three-quarters of the way along the tank, in the top six inches of water, snatching passing food particles. He didn't get in anyone's way.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My firefish tried to jump out of my tank a few times. Luckily, I had a lid on my tank that prevented him from carpet surfing.

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

I think I have the same type of red sea mesh lid as you describe. I had a randalls goby that managed to jump through the little space between the rim of the tank and the frame of the mesh lid. That, with my male clown pushing itself through the coinslot grate on my overflow, has taught me that we probably underestimate a fish's ability to escape to their own demise. I have a 42g, so it's easier for me to do, but I lay strips of plastic along the rim. It's saved my tailspot and cagey male clown. Sorry for your loss.