Firefish in a group: review and update

[treesprite]

(Note: I'm writing this as if not everyone is familiar with my somewhat risky and experimental flavored endeavor, because I didn't want to get the update minimized by being at the end of a several months old thread).

 

Relevant Tank Factors: This is a 75 gallon reef tank. The existing fish livestock before the group of firefish was added, included a small pair of ocellaris clowns, a medium size yellow tang, a blue reef chromis (not to be confused with the more common pale blue ones), and an ocellated dragonet. There was a firefish which I took out and put in the refugium (which is important later).

 

General Information:

The general belief among hobbyists is that firefish will kill each other off unless either kept singly or in a single bonded pair in an aquarium, unless the aquarium is so large that the fish don't find each other. Some hobbyists have been able to keep pairs of two different types of firefish at the same time, but it would be very risky in a tank under 75 gallons (I say 75 because that is the size of the tank in which I've done it, and it's a rare occurrence). You will see firefish in large groups in local fish stores and may think how great they look in a group, but those fish are only there a short time, and stick in a group most likely because they are in small spaces in unfamiliar  surroundings.

 

Background:

 Having had previous experience with single pairs, and with 2 pairs that were two different types, I went into further internet investigation to find out what the fish do in the ocean. Firefish tend to live in groups in the ocean, so I tried to figure out what I could do with my 75 gallon tank that would make it more conducive to keeping a group of firefish.  I finally decided to acquire a group of initially 7 orange firefish (I had one already, which I put into the refugium before putting this group into the display tank). The fish were ordered from Blue Zoo Aquatics. They were in the QT for several weeks (about a month). I account only for a group of 6, because one of the fish disappeared a few days after going into the display tank (probably went air surfing).  I have had the firefish for about 8 months.

 

Preparation:

Before adding the firefish, I added some more liverock to my display (I have some in the sump and refugium) and arranged it to create the illusion of a bigger space with more visual barriers and more hiding places. I started feeding multiple times a day instead of just once, to reduce natural competition for food (currently am only feeding once due to water issues, but the fish are settled in now and know when to look for food)

 

Getting along with tankmates:

Initially, the firefish stuck together in a group, which was very cool to see (they would all face the same direction too, so if one turned around, they would all turn around even when just hoovering). The existing tankmates seems to have worked out fine with the firefish. Just enough infrequent reminders of territory from the clowns, the peacefulness but very obvious prominence  of the tang, and the aggressiveness of the chromis has worked out well with the firefish. I was very concerned initially  because the blue reef chromis was chasing the firefish and nipping tails. I considered removing the chromis, but going on the theory of "safety in numbers" in the ocean, I left the chromis in the tank with the hope that it's presence would promote continued cohesiveness among the firefish, and that it would become a little less of a terror once it got used to the firefish in its space. The chromis is still a menace, but the firefish suffer the occasional nip without rushing into hiding anymore.

 

 

Progress:

- The fish went in the display tank in May 2013.

- Aggression - KEY POINT: Aggressive behavior has been nearly non-existent1 There was one single day, August 9th,  when 2 of the firefish appeared to be playing some kind of "chase and make up" game which never happened again. I initially thought perhaps they were debating whether or not to form a pair, but it never happened. 

-  Group Behavior:The firefish gradually stopped acting as a group. They are all independent as far as I can tell, but I don't know their hiding places to know if they are sticking together when at rest.

- No Pairing: It appeared to me in September/October that there may be two pairs at the beginnings of formation, because there were two that tended to stay in one area and two that tended to stay in a different area, but nothing ever came of it. The firefish are still all singles, at least when they are out in the open space.

- Missing fish: One firefish went missing in September and I couldn't look for it in the sump or refugium because my arm was in a cast and there is liverock that would have had to be removed for the search. So I was down to 5 firefish.

- Introduction of an outsider firefish: In November, when the cast was off my arm and I could dig around in water, I found the missing firefish in the refugium (meaning it went through the plumbing to the sump, then through the sump overflow to the refugium). I thought the fish I was seeing was the old one I had been keeping in there, but then one day saw that there were actually two of them. I put both the old fish and the new fish into the display tank. I felt like I was taking a huge risk and debated doing it, fearful that a single outsider firefish could throw off the social order and then all the fish would kill each other off. Finally I decided to add to add a new dimension experimental flavor of my decision to try to keep a group of these fish, and put the stranger in the display tank. Now I had 6 firefish again, and to my great happiness, the firefish have remained peaceful with each other even with a stranger among them.

- Down to just 4: Last week I was moving around rocks and accidentally killed one of the firefish. Then I noticed the next day noticed another was gone. I searched the sump and refugium for it, removing liverock and stuff, but ultimately found it in a corner on the floor. I also found the body of another similarly shaped fish which was too dried up for me to tell whether it was a firefish or a scissortail.

 

Future:

Given that there are only 4 which is not enough to continue as if this is an experiment, and going on the faith that I have had such success (or luck) so far and was able to add the stranger without negative repercussion, I think I am going to get a couple new firefish. I need to do it soon though, before the 4 remaining figure out that there are only 4 of them, which will change to social order of things.

 

Advice:

Do not attempt keeping a group of firefish like I've been doing unless you are ready to accept the potential risks and outcomes, have done research, have experience with firefish already,  have a tank that is bigger than mine, and have your tank specifically set up to accommodate them regarding aquascaping, tankmates, feeding regime, and other factors.

Edited January 17, 2014 by treesprite

[Matt LeBaron]

Glad to hear it is mostly working out for you.

 

Thanks for the information.

[Jason Rhoads]

Thank you for the in-depth account. I think I am going to try something similar after I move and reestablish my 100g.