Pair of firefish? What's the deal!

[Jaffy]

Like anything else, it seems some are in favor of pairing the fish and others are not. I am adding a foxface to my QT tank ( a little guy, one spot) and I have seen him housed at my LFS before with firefish. They will be going into my 215g. display after my appropriate 4 week QT, pending I see no reason to keep them longer (disease, odd behavior, etc). I am just deciding whether or not the firefish will continue to get along or fight for dominance.

In my experience, people have complained about Six lines - mine is a model citizen (so far, minus the small pistol shrimp I believe he enjoyed).

People have said do not have two lyetail anthias that are both female (mine stay with eachother 24/7, though both seem to slowly be changing male, they are very compatible)

People have said a group of three Chromis will kill off the little one - my two have grown bulky and fat, and the little guy is with them all the time, never the slightest bit of aggression.

While I am sure something can change the whole "peace" I have going on (have 200 lbs of live rock) I am also sure that everything is different on a tank-to-tank basis. I would just like to know if the pairing, or even more than a pairing, of Firefish will be suitable. I also have Yasha goby (lives under a rock, lost his shrimp when it died, probably six line) and a Royal Gramma, as well as two skunk cleaners.

Any suggestions will be more than helpful!!

[Jaffy]

- I also should note I will eventually be adding some Ocellaris clowns, as well as tangs (lesser aggressive types). I am shooting for as little aggression as possible, with many caves and hiding places. Once stocked coral will be the next project. I usually add two fish at a time who spend time in Qt together, to keep balance and add confusion so that the current display tank mates can not single in on one fish, limiting the stress. So far so good!

[edinphilly]

You've got a big tank so some of the "rules" aren't as applicable. Look up "Paul B" threads. He has the oldest reef on here and is a strong believer in keeping mated pairs.

[Jaffy]

I appreciate it, I will check that out. Glad to get advice from another Philly guy. Go Flyers!

[Sk8r]

What is useful to know: too small a tank changes the aggression level of damsels. Damsels will kill over a sleeping spot. Too few sleeping spots mean problems.
Firefish also require more room than their size would indicate. If they want to get away from each other they should be able to.

In general, if your fish have enough room, fights are less frequent.

Don't expect fish to 'pair up.' This is not Matchmaker dot com. Some species do, such as clowns, pair. Others run in groups. Others are solitary.

Then you have odd couples. I once had a mandarin decide to partner up with a purple tang, who didn't mind at all. Where he went, she went, all day long, and in the association, she decided to eat pellet food.

Know your species and give them enough room.

[snorvich]

Originally Posted by Jaffy

I am just deciding whether or not the firefish will continue to get along or fight for dominance.

In my experience, the vast majority of time firefish are put together, one emerges and the remainder end up being intimidated and starve to death. This seems to happen at about the 3-4 month time frame. But if you end up with a bonded pair, enjoy.

[tc2007]

Originally Posted by snorvich

In my experience, the vast majority of time firefish are put together, one emerges and the remainder end up being intimidated and starve to death. This seems to happen at about the 3-4 month time frame. But if you end up with a bonded pair, enjoy.

I learned this the hard way last month. I put 2 in my 90g with plenty of space for both, however both decided to use the same spot for sleeping etc. After 1 week or so, I found one without the top fin (looks like a sword), chewed up and barely able to swim. I was blaming ick but it wasn't ick as the other one is fine. I took the beaten up to the LFS where I don't think it made it.