Mixing firefish?

[brad shawn]

I know fire fish have the tendency conspecific aggression. But has anyone had issues mixing for example red firefish with helfrichi or purple firefish. I would assume there would be aggression but I never attempted to mix them let alone keep any. It’s not a large tank 36x22x22 inches

 

[huckjai]

I have a 95 gallon tank and a purple and red firefish. Red firefish was added about 2 weeks after the purple was added in the main tank. They have their separate sleeping spots and don't bother one another. I have read that they can have aggression towards other firefish if the tank is small. If you're lucky and get a male and a female, that would help as well. I'm debating whether to add a helfrichi or not. Love the colours, but they are so expensive, and I've lost 2 reds during quarantine from stress.

 

[brad shawn]

I have a 95 gallon tank and a purple and red firefish. Red firefish was added about 2 weeks after the purple was added in the main tank. They have their separate sleeping spots and don't bother one another. I have read that they can have aggression towards other firefish if the tank is small. If you're lucky and get a male and a female, that would help as well. I'm debating whether to add a helfrichi or not. Love the colours, but they are so expensive, and I've lost 2 reds during quarantine from stress.

Thanks. My tank is half the size of yours so maybe I will play it safe and just add one helfrichi

 

[brad shawn]

Thanks. My tank is half the size of yours so maybe I will play it safe and just add one helfrichi

I have a 95 gallon tank and a purple and red firefish. Red firefish was added about 2 weeks after the purple was added in the main tank. They have their separate sleeping spots and don't bother one another. I have read that they can have aggression towards other firefish if the tank is small. If you're lucky and get a male and a female, that would help as well. I'm debating whether to add a helfrichi or not. Love the colours, but they are so expensive, and I've lost 2 reds during quarantine from stress.

Or maybe try for a pair of helfrichi if I come across a pair

 

[huckjai]

I think a pair of any would be fine in a 50 gallon. Especially if you introduce both at the same time, so none of them have established territories yet.
I've learned that in this hobby, you never know until you try. Sometimes things work out, and sometimes it doesn't. But you'll never know until you try.

 

[Tahoe61]

I had a trio of red fire fish in a 30 gallon with out issue. I did introduce all at the same time and the were young.

 

[brad shawn]

I had a trio of red fire fish in a 30 gallon with out issue. I did introduce all at the same time and the were young.

Good to know.

 

[brad shawn]

I had a trio of red fire fish in a 30 gallon with out issue. I did introduce all at the same time and the were young.

Now you got me trying to source juveniles for a trio. Leaning toward exquisite firefish.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

It doesnt matter which firefish or what size tank, firefish usually wont tolerate other firefish long term.

 

[Shaun_in_Cali]

My two were fine and used to hang out together until I changed my lights. One of them didn’t like the change and hid for a week. When he came out of hiding the other one would chase him whenever he came within the established territory which was about 4/5 of the tank. The shy firefish eventually disappeared, still don’t know what happened.

 

[brad shawn]

My two were fine and used to hang out together until I changed my lights. One of them didn’t like the change and hid for a week. When he came out of hiding the other one would chase him whenever he came within the established territory which was about 4/5 of the tank. The shy firefish eventually disappeared, still don’t know what happened.

So he had pretty much claimed the whole tank? How was it with other tank inhabitants? How big of a tank

 

[brad shawn]

It doesnt matter which firefish or what size tank, firefish usually wont tolerate other firefish long term.

Seems to be what I have been reading. It’s all a crapshoot with these dang fish! Go with one and save space for another species?

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

It's not really a crapshoot, it just rarely works. Go with just one firefish.

Put that one in the tank early to let it get used to its surroundings without other fish around.

 

[brad shawn]

It's not really a crapshoot, it just rarely works. Go with just one firefish.

Put that one in the tank early to let it get used to its surroundings without other fish around.

I will take your advice. Saved me some money on ordering 3 helfrichis! Thanks

 

[VinnyButch]

As long as we're asking, are firefish aggressive towards other species of fish?

 

[huckjai]

As long as we're asking, are firefish aggressive towards other species of fish?

None of my two firefish have been aggressive towards other species. I'm currently housing a purple and a red in a 95 gallon tank. It has been almost 3 months now

 

[Jesterrace]

I agree just one firefish per tank unless you track down an actual mated pair. Personally I will never own another firefish again as IMHO they are just too easily bullied, my purple firefish was the number 1 target of any assertive fish I ever had in the tank. I would go with a Basslet instead (ie Royal Gramma or Black Cap). Just me though.

 

[GoldeneyeRet]

None of my two firefish have been aggressive towards other species. I'm currently housing a purple and a red in a 95 gallon tank. It has been almost 3 months now

3 months is not long term.

Firefish are very easily intimidated and wont bully many other fish.

 

[huckjai]

3 months is not long term.

Firefish are very easily intimidated and wont bully many other fish.

Definitely not long term. Was just stating how long I have had them together for. My red one is the most timid fish in the tank. My purple is completely opposite. He doesn't back down from intimidation.

 

[Shaun_in_Cali]

So he had pretty much claimed the whole tank? How was it with other tank inhabitants? How big of a tank

120G tank, and yeah the dominant one had claimed the bulk of it. Completely chill with the other inhabitants, if not on the bottom of the pecking order...