Firefish hiding?

gooicide · Sep 26, 2016

Hello, I just got a purple firefish and he was doing great for the first four days or so, but the past couple of days he's been hiding in this little tunnel in one of the rocks and rarely coming all the way out, just peeking his face out. He comes out to feed, and eats well, but I'm just wondering why he is hiding so much. As of now, he is the only fish in the tank but I will be getting more very soon. Is this normal?

Tahoe61 · Sep 26, 2016

Fire fish are very reclusive initially and can be difficult to acclimate.

Check your water chemistry, ammonia and nitrates to make sure.

When you leave the room watch from a distance to see if the fish is more active. If not than I would hold off on adding more fish to the system unless those new purchases are going into quarantine.

jd371 · Sep 26, 2016

He'll feel safer once there is more fish swimming around, if they don't see fish around they think danger is lurking by and are more reluctant to be out by themselves. These are very timid fish. Mine was out and about all the time. Last weekend I put the last fish into my 75g a Filament Flasher and Red Margin Wrasse I guess he didn't like the change and is hiding all the time now.

gooicide · Sep 26, 2016

Tahoe61 said:
Fire fish are very reclusive initially and can be difficult to acclimate.

Check your water chemistry, ammonia and nitrates to make sure.

When you leave the room watch from a distance to see if the fish is more active. If not than I would hold off on adding more fish to the system unless those new purchases are going into quarantine.

He becomes active after I feed him and stays like that for the rest of the day. My ammonia and nitrates were at zero when I tested today.

eatbreakfast · Sep 27, 2016

jd371 said:
He'll feel safer once there is more fish swimming around, if they don't see fish around they think danger is lurking by and are more reluctant to be out by themselves. These are very timid fish. Mine was out and about all the time. Last weekend I put the last fish into my 75g a Filament Flasher and Red Margin Wrasse I guess he didn't like the change and is hiding all the time now.

^This 100%

gooicide · Sep 27, 2016

jd371 said:
He'll feel safer once there is more fish swimming around, if they don't see fish around they think danger is lurking by and are more reluctant to be out by themselves. These are very timid fish. Mine was out and about all the time. Last weekend I put the last fish into my 75g a Filament Flasher and Red Margin Wrasse I guess he didn't like the change and is hiding all the time now.

I just got a little chalk bass today. The firefish has been less reclusive and is swimming around more. Thanks for your advice!

Joey waid · Sep 27, 2016

We have two, one hides all the time and the other is always on the hunt for food. They are never too far from each other. I really believe it's doing what it wants and it's normal.

ed757 · Sep 28, 2016

lighting played a part with my previous ones

stevo01 · Sep 28, 2016

Me too. He's been spending a lot of time in the cave lately and only comes out to eat. Going on for a week now. Ever since I changed the flow direction. I think they are hypersensitive to changes in their environment, including light, temp, and water parameters.