Are red firefish community fish?

Makubex · Nov 28, 2020

Are red firefish community fish? I went to a lfs and the owner or manager was like u need to get at least 4-5 of them otherwise it will hide in the rocks and not come out-they are strictly community fish and they are jumpers, is this true? Ive read firefish are not community fish

smol_reef · Nov 28, 2020

I had a single firefish a few years ago and it was just fine by itself. It was always in the water column and didn't hide in the rocks much unless it was at night. Jumpers part is definitely true though

brmreefer · Nov 28, 2020

From personal experience. I did have one for a few years, but did start off with two. After the one passed away shortly when first introduced the other seemed fine and swam out. It did keep close to it's home, so that it can seek refuge when spooked. That does not mean that it was so reclusive that I did not see it often. See what other's personal experience is to get a broad consensus. Hope that helps.

A sea K · Nov 29, 2020

In my experience firefish need to be kept singly. As peaceful as they are they do not play well with other members of their own kind when mature. The biggest trick to keeping firefish is making sure they are kept with other peaceful tankmates, otherwise they are easily intimidated and will likely hide in the rock work and slowly starve.

Rickybobby · Nov 29, 2020

Mine schooled with my clowns. Never hid

Andreas' Reef · Dec 14, 2020

smol_reef said:
I had a single firefish a few years ago and it was just fine by itself. It was always in the water column and didn't hide in the rocks much unless it was at night. Jumpers part is definitely true though

They go to their hiding spots to sleep. My firefish has an entire labyrinth under that rock.

Andreas' Reef · Dec 14, 2020

SolisFirefish said:
They go to their hiding spots to sleep. My firefish has an entire labyrinth under that rock.

AirIck · Feb 15, 2021

I’m curious about this myself. I added a yellow watchman goby yesterday. Ever since I added the new fish my firefish is being aggressive and nipping at the goby AND my clowns. He never went after my clowns before. I thought firefish were supposed to be peaceful. I’m starting to get worried for my other fish as my firefish is bigger than my clowns and a lot bigger than my goby. Should I consider removing him?