Aggressive firefish, want to take him out

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

So my purple fire fish has been doing amazing. Except one thing is he I'd a major bully to my single oc. Clown. He lives in a fluval evo 13.5 and they're the only inhabitants. I think I want to take him out. Maybe sell him to someone. If anyone has any ideas please tell me what to do! Hes very beautiful and my favorite but if hes a big bully I dont want him on my tank.

James M · Sep 19, 2018

Fish traps , you can use the cheap water bottle one

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

Was thinking something like that. I have a breeder net I can shove him in when I catch him, just need someone to take him from me

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

Anyone who lives near san Benito county interested in a firefish for 20 bucks hmu [emoji6]

Oshengems · Sep 19, 2018

How small is the clown ? Eventually he will be running from clown especially if it’s a female

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

bronxreef said:
How small is the clown ? Eventually he will be running from clown especially if it’s a female

It's not a female, hes he is the only clown in the tank and hes around an inch. The firefish is a bit bigger lengthwise and is always starting the fights

Oshengems · Sep 19, 2018

My small clown used to go at it with a yellow tang 2 times his size but only after he settled it was a pair the females are nasty!!! They don’t care about size lol

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

bronxreef said:
My small clown used to go at it with a yellow tang 2 times his size but only after he settled it was a pair the females are nasty!!! They don’t care about size lol

That's what's weird about my clown. He doesn't start fights or fight back. He just takes it or just swims off. I know every clown can be extremely different from the next, but mines weird lol.

Rakie · Sep 19, 2018

That's because it's not threatened by your Firefish. Don't worry about it. Most firefish are so timid people would pay and arm and a leg for one that isn't afraid of it's own shadow.

Your clown will get much bigger, and your firefish will stop trying to start a fight. Don't get rid of it. The fact that it has some fight in it proves it'll be out and about, and won't take bullying like other fish.

Considering on an aggression scale of 1-10, firefish are typically a 0.25/10, you got lucky.

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

Rakie said:
That's because it's not threatened by your Firefish. Don't worry about it. Most firefish are so timid people would pay and arm and a leg for one that isn't afraid of it's own shadow.

Your clown will get much bigger, and your firefish will stop trying to start a fight. Don't get rid of it. The fact that it has some fight in it proves it'll be out and about, and won't take bullying like other fish.

Considering on an aggression scale of 1-10, firefish are typically a 0.25/10, you got lucky.

That's crazy. I cant believe I got one so aggressive haha. Lucky me. Guess I'll just wait it out.

Rakie · Sep 19, 2018

Yep. Just give it time. Like I said, firefish are NOT tough fish.. If it has a little attitude? GOOD. That means it wont hide in the rocks all day. You'll have a nice active firefish that's out of the rockwork, visible, and will interact with the community of the tank.

I would say if it's just a 13.5g, consider a couple of tiny 2" gobies for your other fish (not that you asked)

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

Rakie said:
Yep. Just give it time. Like I said, firefish are NOT tough fish.. If it has a little attitude? GOOD. That means it wont hide in the rocks all day. You'll have a nice active firefish that's out of the rockwork, visible, and will interact with the community of the tank.

I would say if it's just a 13.5g, consider a couple of tiny 2" gobies for your other fish (not that you asked)

I really wanted two clowns but I'm having second thoughts. I was thinking shrimp goby or blue neon goby for last fish

Rakie · Sep 19, 2018

Two clowns is a big much, they get big, and can turn on one another even in LARGE tanks although that's not guaranteed to happen either.

Neon goby are awesome. They are cleaner fish too, and your fish will like to go get cleaned by them. Very cool behavior to watch. You could probably add a tail spot blenny too. Also a small fish, gets along with everything, and will graze on algae.

If you have a nice skimmer like a Tunze 9004 or something like that you could probably get away with an additional small fish. Id go with something like a pygmy geometric hawkfish.

All the fish I listed are small, they max out at 2", or 2.5" for the blenny. They're friendly, and have a lot of character. The geometric hawk will eat anything that fits in his mouth though, so make sure to get a small one if you go that route. And make sure any shrimp you have are full grown, because they love eating shrimp.

Joshua2598 · Sep 19, 2018

Rakie said:
Two clowns is a big much, they get big, and can turn on one another even in LARGE tanks although that's not guaranteed to happen either.

Neon goby are awesome. They are cleaner fish too, and your fish will like to go get cleaned by them. Very cool behavior to watch. You could probably add a tail spot blenny too. Also a small fish, gets along with everything, and will graze on algae.

If you have a nice skimmer like a Tunze 9004 or something like that you could probably get away with an additional small fish. Id go with something like a pygmy geometric hawkfish.

All the fish I listed are small, they max out at 2", or 2.5" for the blenny. They're friendly, and have a lot of character. The geometric hawk will eat anything that fits in his mouth though, so make sure to get a small one if you go that route. And make sure any shrimp you have are full grown, because they love eating shrimp.

So many suggestions. I dont have a skimmer currently but for maybe Christmas I'm looking to get an tank media basket and a good skimmer. So how many fish did you just suggest again for max???

Rakie · Sep 19, 2018

4-5, 3 of which never get more than 2" and add very little waste. Assuming you have the best little skimmer you can get.

Jesterrace · Sep 20, 2018

Well that's a new one. A Firefish bullying a clown?

That said your clown is currently very tiny, and once it gets bigger the tables could very easily turn.

Oshengems · Sep 20, 2018

Jesterrace said:
Well that's a new one. A Firefish bullying a clown? That said your clown is currently very tiny, and once it gets bigger the tables could very easily turn.

lol that’s how I felt when I saw this I’ve had about 5 but only one atm(3 jumped) but they were all so scare the more fish I added the less I would see them, the purple I have now only comes out when I’m in front of the tank he assumes I’m going to feed I think. Lol

Katrina71 · Sep 20, 2018

Yep...looks like a redhead.

mta_morrow · Sep 20, 2018

I Have had a purple firefish in each of my tanks...….both peaceful community tanks.

I have been fortunate enough to have mine always cruising the tank, and its a beautiful fish!

KEEP IT!

Joshua2598 · Sep 20, 2018

Jesterrace said:
Well that's a new one. A Firefish bullying a clown? That said your clown is currently very tiny, and once it gets bigger the tables could very easily turn.

Haha I know right