Purple fire fish?

Steam fan · Jul 16, 2017

I have a couple of questions about purple fire fish.
First, can anyone tell me if the purple on the head changing to pink is normal, or is it rare?

Second, mine is hiding, it used to come out all the time(especially at feeding time), but as of Wednesday July 5 I saw it in the morning, but that afternoon at feeding time, nothing. I waited until the Friday, but still a no show. I picked up the pukani rock that hides in and it was under the rock digging a pit in the sand. It didn't eat that day, and I haven't seen it since. Any help would be great.

mtraylor · Jul 16, 2017

When I had them they would actually go in the wholes in the sand that my tiger goby worked at forming. They like to get in holes for protection, but will swim throughout the aquarium. For me that all ended when I had a prick fish.....Blue chromis . He would chase them to force them in the holes and or jump out of the aquarium. Never buy a chromis again. Really irritated the whole aquarium. My experience is that they will be out unless being picked on.

Not sure about the color thing.

Steam fan · Jul 16, 2017

Ok, that's helpful.

Salty1962 · Jul 16, 2017

I have 2 Helfrichi and they stayed in the water column for a couple of months. I also noticed they weren't out as much and found they had dug a hole under some of my LR. They go in and out and sometimes together. I read up on them some more and read that they do like to dig boroughs in the sand to sleep in. I've never read where their coloration changes, may just be different light angles hitting them to make their coloration look different. Pics would help;)

XNavyDiver · Jul 16, 2017

I have a couple of them for about 3 weeks, but they're currently in QT as one has a parasite on his right side being treated. My observations are that they are very peaceful fish and shy. They take longer to get used to their surroundings than most, and haven't yet warmed up to the presences of humans in front of the glass. They strike me as easily bullied by more aggressive fish for sure and they're so rail thin they will squeeze themselves into nooks that seem impossible. I'm not sure about the color thing also, both of mine look purple on the head.