worried about my fire fish

fishinthewall · Apr 4, 2016

I have had him for about a week added a clown on Saturday,from what i have seen the clown isn't being aggressive. I believe he is eating, but barely.
He hides in a rock all day, all night.
I know they are shy fish, should I be worried? Ammonia is 0 salinity is 1.27 and temp is 80. I know temp is a little high, I'm planning on an sps tank so figured to get them used to it now. Not sure how salinity got up I haven't added any salt and have been topping off.

MrDJeep123 · Apr 4, 2016

Temperature is actually fine. My tank ran at 83 on purpose.

They are, in general, a very skittish fish. Give it some space and not fret.

eatbreakfast · Apr 5, 2016

If it and the clown are the only 2 fish in the tank, then adding a few other peaceful fish may help. If a fish doesn't see other fish around it is an often an indication of a predator in the wild, so it is just being cautious.

fishinthewall · Apr 5, 2016

Will do its only a ten gallon, so i figured 3 is going to be about my max. I really want to put a purple doty back in, but am worried about its temperament. I have heard different things.

Tahoe61 · Apr 5, 2016

My personal experience with Fire Fish is that it can months for them to feel comfortable enough to be out and about the majority of the time. Aggression is often posturing/body language of the fish, it does not have to be out right chasing and nipping to make a passive fish feel threatened. As long as the Fire Fish eating I would just wait and watch.

eatbreakfast · Apr 5, 2016

fishinthewall said:
Will do its only a ten gallon, so i figured 3 is going to be about my max. I really want to put a purple doty back in, but am worried about its temperament. I have heard different things.

A purple dottyback will be a problem with regards to aggression. A fridmani, or orchid dottyback, also purple, will be fine.