Purple Firefish

[Anonymous]

I am considering one or more of these cuties. I am hopeful other reefers can share their experiences with this fish, and also offer any opinions on whether I should get one or several of these gorgeous fish. TIA!

Chris

 

[mkirda]

I am considering one or more of these cuties. I am hopeful other reefers can share their experiences with this fish, and also offer any opinions on whether I should get one or several of these gorgeous fish. TIA!

Chris

Chris,

They are a deeper water species than the reds from what I know.
They tend to appear in small groups (2-3) in the wild. Typically live in smaller caves in the reef structure, eating plankton that floats by, always ready to dart into a cave if threatened.
In tanks, they tend to jump and go carpet surfing.
You might want to add something to keep them in the tank, either a glass cover or a canopy, or even a small fence around the top. I've only had one, which I found dried one day after work, behind the tank. (Had canpoy that covered three sides, but not the back...)

Normally, these are not a cyanide target either, so I'd say go for it, but make sure it eats flake food first, and be aware that it will jump if spooked.

Regards.
Mike Kirda

 

[Anonymous]

I concur with Mike.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the replies, guys! The tank is completely covered, so no worries there. Perhaps this weekend...


Thanks again!

Chris

 

[Anonymous]

Hey Chris,

Let me know how you make out with the Purple, as that is one of the fish in my stocking plan about a year away


Thanks

Bryan

 

[Enzo]

what is the easiest way to get plankton in your tank

 

[Anonymous]

Some people use prepared plankton (fish food), some catch it off-shore, some setup a refugium, while some get it into tank by accident (snail reproducing, etc.).

 

[Anonymous]

My vote is via 'fuge. Besides the "carpet surfing" issue, I've found them to be hardy little fishes, too.

 

[Reefman150]

I've had mine for about 8 months now and he never even goes near the surface. I do have a deep tank-31" high, but he stays in the lower 12". He eagerly accepts mysis shrimp and zooplankton. Sleeps in a hole in a rock. Beautiful, friendly fish that never bothers anything. Great fish!

 

[Anonymous]

I had one for a year in an 80 gallon with no top. He never went near the surface. I didn't know at the time they were jumpers. I also didn't know at the time that dottybacks were so aggressive, and when I added a neon arabian the firefish wouldn't come out of his hole. The firefish got along fine with a pygmy angel, clown, and tang though.

 

[Anonymous]

My neon Dotty back is fine with all my other fish. When he is threatened by my damsel he does stand his ground and I have seen him wim in a little scuffle. Other than that at first My fire fish and Neon work great together.