Firefish wont come out rock!

[Tommy081708]

So I've had this firefish for about a month now in a 55 reef tank with a coral beauty and a flame angel. He's always done great since I had him, big eater, gets along well with others. About 4 days ago I finally added my favorite fish, Niger trigger. I know, it was kind of a gamble. He is doing fantastic so far, doesn't bother the corals or fish whatsoever. The only thing he's done against my will is snatch a piece of mysis from my war coral I am getting acclimated to eating. I bopped him on the head with the turkey baster as it was still in the water and he hasn't done it since. Anyhow with the trigger I threw in a diamond goby, also doing great. They all get along great still, but yesterday I noticed Mr. Firefish wouldn't come out of his rock to eat. He usually is in the rock for the majority of the day but always comes out to eat and surf the koralia waves. I put food in his cave, no beans. Tried to baste him out, no go either. Is he scared of the trigger? Trigger pays him no mind whatsoever so I don't see why this would be the case. I have my wife keeping an eye out today but what should I do if he decides he's never coming out again?

[Tommy081708]

Trigger is a baby as well, only 3-4" at best.

[Nina51]

a niger trigger in anything under 180 gallons is not gonna work. it's an aggressive fish and you have put him into a much too small tank so yeah, your firefish is probably intimidated, at the very least.

you need to research your potential purchases before you go forward. and you need to get the trigger out of there.

a 55g is also too small for both the coral beauty and the flame angel. they both need bigger tanks.

[Fishy 1]

The trigger will be terrifying the fire, I know you don't want to hear it but it is best to remove the trigger as it is not suitable in your tank. My fire was scared when I added a fairy wrasse so a trigger is like seeing a serial killer to him.

[Tommy081708]

I'm upgrading within 6 months, he's a baby right now so I'm not worried about it. I'd rather just get rid of the fire fish over the trigger because no one else has a problem with him and like I said, he's my favorite fish. Its just going to be a pain catching him I guess...

[mattix]

my purple fire fish had the tank to herself for over a month, and she would go everywhere in the tank. I added a flame angelfish 2 weeks ago and everytime she see's the flame she darts to her hole. I'm hoping when I add other fish she starts to come out more

[Tommy081708]

Originally Posted by mattix

my purple fire fish had the tank to herself for over a month, and she would go everywhere in the tank. I added a flame angelfish 2 weeks ago and everytime she see's the flame she darts to her hole. I'm hoping when I add other fish she starts to come out more

I was thinking of adding a purple one, I read they love companionship. I like em so id really hate to get rid of him but I don't want a death on my hands.

[Xavibear]

Originally Posted by Tommy081708

I was thinking of adding a purple one, I read they love companionship. I like em so id really hate to get rid of him but I don't want a death on my hands.

Firefish don't do well in groups. Over time only one will survive.

[Tommy081708]

Good news, wife just called and he's been out all morning, maybe just had a bad day yesterday

[fishhuman]

What size tank are you upgrading to and when, because if a Niger triggerfish is your favorite fish then you would not torture it by putting it in a tank that is to small

[Tommy081708]

150 rimless cube, around xmas

[Nina51]

still not big enough for a trigger.

[sowildpaul]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...257&pcatid=257

It shows min tank size 180 gallons for one Niger trigger. If you have other fish with it, then you would need a larger tank like maybe 250+ gal depending on what kind of fish. Angelfishes, triggerfishes and other aggressive fishes require a big space for each one.

[Tommy081708]

Originally Posted by sowildpaul

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...257&pcatid=257

It shows min tank size 180 gallons for one Niger trigger. If you have other fish with it, then you would need a larger tank like maybe 250+ gal depending on what kind of fish. Angelfishes, triggerfishes and other aggressive fishes require a big space for each one.

I'll have room for bigger, and duh id want to go bigger it just depends if the price difference is astronomical, as well as maintenance because I work 18 hr days 7 days a week usually (oilfield). I maintain the 55 and a 29 deep with no problem. What kind of price differences would I be looking at? I dont want to go over 4.5k

[Redman88]

Originally Posted by Tommy081708

I'll have room for bigger, and duh id want to go bigger it just depends if the price difference is astronomical, as well as maintenance because I work 18 hr days 7 days a week usually (oilfield). I maintain the 55 and a 29 deep with no problem. What kind of price differences would I be looking at? I dont want to go over 4.5k

as another oil field worker, working 16.5hr days 14 days on 7 off. any tank you setup will need to be automated as much as possible. Right now my tank is just a 55 FOWLR, but i am working on a 125 with sump.

[Tommy081708]

Originally Posted by Redman88

as another oil field worker, working 16.5hr days 14 days on 7 off. any tank you setup will need to be automated as much as possible. Right now my tank is just a 55 FOWLR, but i am working on a 125 with sump.

No lie, I have it as automatic as it can get aside from an apex. That'll be the next step.