- Location
- Cape Coral, Florida
The lfs has 6 firefish, but don't know how to determine the sex. Someone told me that the long dorsal fin is the male, and the short is the female. Please varify this as I want to purchase them today. Thank you, Dawn.
Fire fish- detertmine sex?
- Thread starter Rlumenator
- Start date
- Location
- Cape Coral, Florida
If the sexes are hard to determine, why do both of my ref. books state: Best kept singly, or in mated pairs? Does anyone have experience with keeping a non-mated pair? Thank you, Dawn
Multiple specimens of the same sex can be combative (per my experience). I've had a "true" mated pair of Helfrichi firefish on two occasions, and they do courting behavior and hover together. I've also had "non-mated" pairs and they don't display the same behaviour, often times one chasing the other around.
I'd keep firefish either singly or in proven mated pairs.
I'd keep firefish either singly or in proven mated pairs.
I see what you mean. But keep in mind that just because the wine label says "Best serve chilled" does not mean it is easy to cool it when you just get a bottle from the market and the guest is coming over in 10 minutes. The conclusion you got is related to the statement in the reference book, but one has nothing to do with the other logically.
Anyway, sorry for the logic burp, hope you don't mind... Regarding non-mated pair, you may end up each of the occupying one end of the tank, or one may pick on the others fin until the weaker one jump and die on the carpet. YMMV.
Anyway, sorry for the logic burp, hope you don't mind... Regarding non-mated pair, you may end up each of the occupying one end of the tank, or one may pick on the others fin until the weaker one jump and die on the carpet. YMMV.
- Location
- Cape Coral, Florida
After reading the responses, I went to the lfs that had ordered some firefish in for me. Two, one smaller, one larger, were hovering close together. I brought home Romeo and Juliet, who to date, (today is day three) hang out peacefully together in my 20 gal. quarantine tank. I have already discussed with the lfs taking (1) back if it bacomes a problem. Hopefully that will not happen. Dawn.Dawn,
That's what I do too to try to find mated pairs. When a LFS or wholesaler has a whole bunch of firefish housed together in the same holding tank, I pick the ones that band together and I've had fairly good success with this method. If they aren't fighting after a month, you're probably in the clear. A lot of fish that wouldn't normally coexist together will be huddle together for the first few weeks in captivity simply out of fright. After the settle in, their natural tendancies will resurface.
Good luck!
That's what I do too to try to find mated pairs. When a LFS or wholesaler has a whole bunch of firefish housed together in the same holding tank, I pick the ones that band together and I've had fairly good success with this method. If they aren't fighting after a month, you're probably in the clear. A lot of fish that wouldn't normally coexist together will be huddle together for the first few weeks in captivity simply out of fright. After the settle in, their natural tendancies will resurface.
Good luck!
- Location
- Cape Coral, Florida
My firefish, Romeo & Juliet, graduated to the reef tank on Jan. 7th. They truely live up to their names, and it is a delight to watch these beautiful, peaceful fish!You're lucky Dawn,
I love my firefish and would love to get him or her a mate, but I fear he/she will kill any other firefish I put in because he/she is very large for a firefish and twice the size of any at the store.
I want to try this method of finding a mated pair the next time I get firefish....hopefully in a few years when mine lives out its natural lifespan. :?
I love my firefish and would love to get him or her a mate, but I fear he/she will kill any other firefish I put in because he/she is very large for a firefish and twice the size of any at the store.
I want to try this method of finding a mated pair the next time I get firefish....hopefully in a few years when mine lives out its natural lifespan. :?
- Location
- Cape Coral, Florida
Thanks for the new info. They both flick, but I will watch more closely now. One seems to be less inhibited- checking things out first- then the other one will follow. Is this an indicator of male or female?
It is an interesting observation, but AFAIK, it still can go either way. Most likely, it just means that one is more adventuresome than the other, not an indication of sex.
I also doubt that the flick is an indication of sex too... more of a communication protocol? :?
I also doubt that the flick is an indication of sex too... more of a communication protocol? :?
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