I rarely see my firefish

[danielm5]

I'm starting a new IM 15 tank (see my build thread). I've got a couple of firefish almost 2 weeks ago, however, I rarely see them.

I was told to feed them twice a day. I tried but they've never been out when I return to my home in the evening and food would go to the filter. Because of that I'm feeding them only in the morning now. Sometimes I see one of them to go out, quickly eat something, and hide I again. A few times I saw the two of them but not in the last few days. Sometimes I see one of them below the rocks but most of the time I don't see them at all. I'm feeding them Frozen Reef Plankton as recommended at my LFS.

Is this to be expected or should I be worried?

 

[Lavey29]

Mines cryptic too

 

[Tim'sReef]

Mine is out regularly but likes to hang out in its cave as well. When feeding time is there he pokes his head out of his burrow to check.

 

[danielm5]

Now it stays out most of the morning

 

[SaltySqueeble]

They will get more acclimated to the surroundings and start coming out. They are the first to bed and last wake. So, if you’re home later in the light cycle, they will be sleeping. They eat my clown pellets and mysis shrimp great for me. I killed the power head to feed at first, they appreciate a little lower flow while they get used to the tank.

 

[jhadaway]

You may need a fish that hangs out in the open and makes them feel safe. Cardinals are great for this. I have a pajama and a banggai that hang in the open. They do need a shady spot to hang out. Even a blue chromi. They ate some seriously high strung fish. Bonus with the cardinals is you can get them captive bred easily.

 

[danielm5]

You may need a fish that hangs out in the open and makes them feel safe. Cardinals are great for this. I have a pajama and a banggai that hang in the open. They do need a shady spot to hang out. Even a blue chromi. They ate some seriously high strung fish. Bonus with the cardinals is you can get them captive bred easily.

Nice to know! Thank you for the advice. I'll consider getting cardinals.

 

[Townes_Van_Camp]

Nice to know! Thank you for the advice. I'll consider getting cardinals.

Put cardinals in there and you will never see him lol. Especially bangai's. Once they mature they have quite a mean streak. Pjams aren't nearly as bad as bangai's though. In a tank that small I would consider a chalk bass.

But usually they grow bolder over time, so long as they aren't picked at.

 

[pal98111]

I had two. One killed the other within a week. Gradually schredding his tail. The other comes out sometimes but has never been a socialite. I have since started looking for fish that aren’t so timid.

 

[blaxsun]

My firefish enjoys carpet surfing!

 

[pal98111]

My firefish enjoys carpet surfing!

I have mine virtually sealed up. Everywhere there is a cut out on the lid for equipment, I put tape around so there is no space to aim for. Even when I do maintenance, I put some garden netting on the tank to prevent an opportunity.

 

[danielm5]

I had two. One killed the other within a week. Gradually schredding his tail. The other comes out sometimes but has never been a socialite. I have since started looking for fish that aren’t so timid.

Since I can only have a few fish in m tank, I also began looking for the ones that aren't hiding all the time!
Although, I don't regret about the firefish, I really like them!

 

[danielm5]

My firefish enjoys carpet surfing!

Well... I lost one to that sport... and I'm paranoid about the other. Everytime I need to open the lid, then I find myself scouting the carpet afraid it jumped without me seeing.

 

[SaltySqueeble]

Nice to know! Thank you for the advice. I'll consider getting cardinals.

My cardinal was pretty aggressive towards my fire fish the first 2-3 weeks before he mellowed out. Chased him into his cave at every site.

 

[drolmaeye]

Now it stays out most of the morning

My kids call it "character development." We've had a couple fish that have made massive transformations in terms of personality after just a few weeks in the DT. Change of any kind is what keeps the hobby interesting, if not also a bit stressful.