Purple firefish always hiding

[Nandez13]

I've had a purple firefish for a little over 4 weeks now. I didn't see him at all for the first 4 days that I had him. Finally found him burrowed under some rock in the back of the tank. Since then he comes out to feed regularly but won't swim around the tank. Apart from feeding time he may come out for a few mins before he goes back to hiding. From the little bit I've seen of him, there aren't any noticeable signs of illness but am keeping an eye on it.

I know they take a while to get used to a new home but its been a month already!!

It's a 15 gallon tank with a pair of clowns that don't bother him when he's out. Tanks been running for about 6 months now and everything looks healthy. Has anyone had experience where it takes this long for a firefish to get comfortable?? It's a shame that I rarely get to see him.

 

[Moneymaks24]

U got any shrimp especially coral banded maybe? Otherwise he may just be a shy fish I hear they like being in pairs. I have a helfrichi firefish, and 2 clowns also he always came out since day 1 so maybe they're all different.

 

[Nandez13]

I have several sexy shrimp but theyre all 1" or smaller and dont go near the fish.


He actually came out about a half hour ago. As soon as I got close to the glass he darted back to his burrow...

 

[da2145r]

Thats firefish behaviour I got two they only come out when I feed them

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Reefs

 

[MIKE NY]

I had two my 20 nano and were out all the time from day one. I recently lost one which jumped through the grating top. As long as it's eating I wouldn't worry. It just may need time to feel secure.

 

[Nandez13]

da2145r, how long have you had those firefish?

MIKE NY, thats great they were out from the start but sorry you lost one. Yea, if it wasn't for feeding time I'd think he was a goner. How big were the openings in the grating that he was able to jump through? Currently have my tank covered with egg crate.

 

[MIKE NY]

Plastic egg crate. I have it half covered with glass now until I can get a mesh cover

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

Yup, firefish are pretty shy. I've had plenty and never out viewable when you get close. Get within 5 feet, that's it.

 

[LBC]

Ditto, purple firefish are extremely shy, but do stick together like a hidden shoal. If you dont provide live rock, they are forced to be be less shy. I have noticed regular firefish are a tad bit less shy.

Not only are purple firefish shy; in my experience they like to jump out, and in lucky cases, over the overflow and end up in the sump repeatedly to the point I just leave them there.

 

[Nandez13]

I knew they were a bit shy before I bought one but had seen other tanks that had firefish out and about all the time; guess I wasn't as lucky.

I'll have to put some mesh over my egg crate though in case he ever does warm up to my tank and wants to swim around.

 

[Dan_P]

I Googled "purple firefish" and found many discussions about this fish having a tendency to hide. The conjectures for this behavior include: normal behavior, spooked by owner, hiding from other tank inhabitants, and disease. Some aquarist report that their firefish eventually starts to swim about the aquarium. Contained in many threads is the warning that this fish is a jumper. I did not read all the reef forums, so, there might be an answer on the Internet.

 

[evoIX_Reefer]

As said by another reefer, the red firefish tend to come out a little more and will come out as long as you don't approach the tank. IME, they will take 2-3 days to get used to the environment.

If you are looking for a better fish with vibrant color, AWESOME PERSONALITY, cool swimming pattern, etc. look into a MIDAS BLENNY!

Midas blenny is one of my personal favorite fishes because of the above.

 

[Nandez13]

Midas blenny is one of the fish i was considering from the start.

I just love the look of the purple firefish. Just gotta hope he comes out after a while.

 

[Moneymaks24]

Also they do better In pairs I hear but mine is ok alone so far, after 2 others died. He's always swimming around even at night. But never goes to top half of the tank.

 

[Jenna X]

Does it have other tank mates aside from the clowns? I know my purple firefish hid (to the point where I thought he was gone), until I removed the six line wrasse. Problem solved. He's always out and about these days, to add gets along well with my starry blenny.

 

[Nandez13]

Does it have other tank mates aside from the clowns?

Nope, just the pair of clowns.

5 weeks now..

 

[ctcorals]

I try this purple one for twice but always die eventually. they r to shy! cannot even showing up for the food, always die in hunger or been killed by dancel fish. but the pink color one just ok to keep!

 

[Nandez13]

After a little more than a couple months, he's finally coming out more. He still hides every now and again but can get a look at him most of the day.

Also swims closer to the top of the tank whereas before he hovered around the sandbed.

 

[ravi197699]

Purple fire fish are very shy fish and if other fishes are much bigger then you might face this issue, they will tuck them self in one of the caves and just poke out every once in a while or feeding time.... But they are jumpers

 

[_DZ_r??f]

I have 3 of purple fire fish thay always out and not shy at all swim all around the tank. Can't confirm if thay jumpers or not so far non tried that, it is good think because I dont have tank cover yet have to buy mash first.