Woke up to a dead firefish. Why?

motlot77 · 04/11/2007, 10:28 PM

Yesterday, we bought a pair of firefish and a yellow watchman goby. At the LFS, the firefish were in one tank and the goby in another. Got them home, acclimated them and put them in our already cycled QT with perfect parameters.

Within minutes, one firefish took to the goby and never left its side. The 2nd firefish kept to itself. Once, while watching them, I saw the goby 'nip' at the loner firefish, but didn't think anything of it at the time. We kept all sides of the tank covered and dark so if other bullying went on, we don't know.

Before bed last night, I found all three cuddled under a rock and thought they'd all be fine. It was so cute to see the three faces looking back at me thru this tiny hole.

Sadly, this morning, we wake up and the loner firefish is dead and almost eaten in half. The remaining firefish is swimming around and eating. The goby appears to suddenly have lymph on its mouth. They both still rest side by side in the hole.

I'm thinking that in addition to the stress of the move, for some reason, the firefish and the goby bullied the loner firefish until it died from stress. That stress also caused the lymph on the goby. Could this be what happened?

Did the firefish and the goby pair up for some strange reason?

Any other ideas?

drummereef · 04/11/2007, 10:51 PM

What are/were your water parameters and how did you acclimate?

motlot77 · 04/11/2007, 11:06 PM

Let's just assume the parameters are fine and acclimation was fine (because they are/were). Thanks.

coast2coast7390 · 04/11/2007, 11:30 PM

firefish dont like to be in the same tank as one another unless a mated pair...i also got a firefish i wanted to buy 2 but read that they have to be a mated pair or a large tank
it doesnt seem like this in your LFS because there are so many in such a small space and the employees are constantly moving around in the tanks so they dont have any real territory

the goby could be affected by your acclimation

motlot77 · 04/12/2007, 12:54 AM

lady at the lfs said they were a pair and that's how she always sells them.

04/11/2007, 10:28 PM	#1
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	Woke up to a dead firefish. Why? Yesterday, we bought a pair of firefish and a yellow watchman goby. At the LFS, the firefish were in one tank and the goby in another. Got them home, acclimated them and put them in our already cycled QT with perfect parameters. Within minutes, one firefish took to the goby and never left its side. The 2nd firefish kept to itself. Once, while watching them, I saw the goby 'nip' at the loner firefish, but didn't think anything of it at the time. We kept all sides of the tank covered and dark so if other bullying went on, we don't know. Before bed last night, I found all three cuddled under a rock and thought they'd all be fine. It was so cute to see the three faces looking back at me thru this tiny hole. Sadly, this morning, we wake up and the loner firefish is dead and almost eaten in half. The remaining firefish is swimming around and eating. The goby appears to suddenly have lymph on its mouth. They both still rest side by side in the hole. I'm thinking that in addition to the stress of the move, for some reason, the firefish and the goby bullied the loner firefish until it died from stress. That stress also caused the lymph on the goby. Could this be what happened? Did the firefish and the goby pair up for some strange reason? Any other ideas? __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

04/11/2007, 10:51 PM	#2
drummereef Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: STL Posts: 14,754	What are/were your water parameters and how did you acclimate? __________________ -Brett 180g Marineland Starfire In-Wall 278 gallon system

04/11/2007, 11:06 PM	#3
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	Let's just assume the parameters are fine and acclimation was fine (because they are/were). Thanks. __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

04/12/2007, 12:54 AM	#5
motlot77 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bay area Posts: 355	lady at the lfs said they were a pair and that's how she always sells them. __________________ "I don't trust or love anyone. Because people are so creepy. Creepy creepy creeps. Creeping around. Creeping here and creeping there. Creeping everywhere. Crippity crappity creepies." Current Tank Info: 25 gal tall, 2 x 65w pc, aqua c remora hob skimmer, fluval for flow and carbon

04/11/2007, 11:30 PM	#4
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	firefish dont like to be in the same tank as one another unless a mated pair...i also got a firefish i wanted to buy 2 but read that they have to be a mated pair or a large tank it doesnt seem like this in your LFS because there are so many in such a small space and the employees are constantly moving around in the tanks so they dont have any real territory the goby could be affected by your acclimation