Fire Fish hiding for a while now

[jd371]

This past weekend I put the last 2 fish I will be adding to the DT from the QT. I have a 75g with 2 Percula clowns, Midas Blennie, Fire Fish, Melenaurus Wrasse and the last 2 a Red Margin and Filament Flasher Wrasse. I put the 2 Wrasses into an acclimation box in case of aggression, and after a few hours of observation it looked like everything was fine so I let them out into the tank. There was a little chasing here and there between the Wrasses, but they settled down quickly. My Fire Fish seemed alright at first and then just darted to the surface and then right into his cave and I haven't seen him since, that was on Sunday. The thing is the other fish were on the other side of the tank and he was by himself when he did this, there were no other fish around or chasing him he just freaked out and took cover and I haven't seen him since.
I'm bummed because he was the first fish in the tank when I started last year also my sister on her next visit will be upset if Alfalfa is not there, it was her favorite fish. Should I expect the worst and he's gone after all this time?

 

[Humblefish]

I've had firefish disappear for weeks and then suddenly reappear. The key is to look all around his cave during feeding time.

Do you have a secure lid over the tank? Firefish are notorious jumpers.

 

[Coastie Reefer]

Firefish are timid creatures. My purple firefish went unseen for about a week, and still doesn't swim out in the open unless there's food in the water. It takes them a little while to get used to change. I wouldn't worry too much just give it a little more time. They can fit into the tiniest crack and holes in your rocks so they can be hard to find. Also don't let them fool you. They may be timid, but they aren't fragile. Mine saw a nassarius' snout poking out from the sand and grabbed and shook it like a puppy shakes a rope bone... he's even bit my female Perc!!!

 

[SaltLover]

I put two fire fish in my tank a week ago and had not seen them since, until yesterday one appeared. Hopefully the other does soon!!! Good Luck!!!

 

[jd371]

Do you have a secure lid over the tank? Firefish are notorious jumpers.

Yes, the tank is covered and I did take a look around the outside of the tank and under the stand.

Firefish are timid creatures. My purple firefish went unseen for about a week, and still doesn't swim out in the open unless there's food in the water. It takes them a little while to get used to change. I wouldn't worry too much just give it a little more time. They can fit into the tiniest crack and holes in your rocks so they can be hard to find. Also don't let them fool you. They may be timid, but they aren't fragile. Mine saw a nassarius' snout poking out from the sand and grabbed and shook it like a puppy shakes a rope bone... he's even bit my female Perc!!!

Yeah, mine was like clockwork he would come out around the same time in the morning or if he happen to be in his cave he would know what time I was feeding them and come out before feeding time, shoot into his cave around 7pm 2 hours before lights out. Wow! You've got a feisty Firefish, biting a female clown!

 

[cnason3]

mine has been in my tank over a month and just started to come out when I am checking and feeding the tank. anything he doesn't like back to the hidey hole he goes. they are crazy fast little fish

 

[Irishman]

I've had mine for a year and he hides a lot. I've gotten used to it. When it was just two fish in my tank he was out a lot. But now that I've added several more he goes back and fourth

 

[jd371]

Woohoo! I just got a message from home that the little guy finally came out. I've lost fish before and it always bothers me when they die, but for some reason the thought of losing him hit me a little more... I guess it's because he was the first fish in my tank, and because he's got a great personality. My sister absolutely loves him. The first time she saw him he came close to the glass and looked at my sister head on, with that long dorsal fin she said he looked like Alfalfa so the name stuck.