School of Firefish?

[mobyreef]

Any one see any issues with keeping 10 to 12 regular firefish? Anyone else try a large school? I have seen how a pair stays together (I have a pair of purple firefish currently) and thought that having a school may be pretty awesome to keep. At least six and maybe even more? I have a 150g mixed reef.

Thanks for any insight/advise.

 

[Kataro]

I saw them being kept in a large group at my LFS, I dont think there were any aggression between them. But I read somewhere the male might fight each other (I think I read this on reefcentral)

 

[akabryanhall]

That would look awesome, I think with so many it might take a little time developing a hierarchy, but they should be pretty peaceful after that.

 

[skinz78]

I currently have 3 of them in my 120g with no issues at all.

 

[Kataro]

Any of you guys know how to tell if they're female or male? Or is there a way to tell at all

 

[twinspots_goby]

make sure you get at least 4. I bought 4, and 1 jumped out my tank the first night(make sure you have tied cover on your tank). So I have kept 3 for a while. 2 always stayed together, and the other one had been chased around. That's why to make sure to keep more than 4. They do school, but not swimming aournd in my tank. you are looking for schooling fish that swim aournd in your tank, they fire fish are not the ones to get. anthias, warrases and tangs are better schooling fish (if you have a big tank).

 

[Captain Nemo]

,ake sure you get an even number. I have seen them in a group of 6 or 8 and they were fine. I mixed red and purple once with no problems.....

 

[Anthony Calfo]

Microdesmids are quirky in general and certainly between species. Helfreichi are calm in singles or pairs usually. Decora are generally hostile in groups or shoals. Magnifica are perhaps your best bet for larger groups (though I have kept and spawned - though not raised yet - them in pairs easily.

Here is an older but still relevant crash course I penned:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/ca/volume_1/cav1i1/wormfishesArt/wormfishes.htm

 

[caudill187]

I have kept the "garden variety" firefish in groups of 4. My experience has been that they are fragile fish who don't tolerate larger and agressive feeders and high rates of water movement for long periods of time. They definitely school tighty though if they are not hiding.