Firefish

I've been looking at adding a school of firefish to my 50g reef setup. I like both kinds (red and purple). Has anyone ever mixed the two or are they like maroon clowns and dont mix.

 

You can mix them. My LFS always has them together.

 

Really? my LFS never keeps them together because generally they don't do good with their own species, let alone a different species that looks almost identical. Remember the LFS is always in it for the money, they do things that aren't always acceptable and most often shouldn't be replicated at home. Its the old "jumping off a bridge" cliche

I would pass on mixing them, just get a group of one type.

 

I disagree with everyone! From everything I have seen, groups do not do well. The only way multiples works LONGTERM is when you get a true bonded pair. I have seen mixing different species, and that seems to be ok.

 

At one time I kept a trio of Fire fish for a couple years without incident. In an effort to keep them successfully I special ordered them from the LFS. Getting young fish and introducing all at the same time worked well for me. No outward aggression was noted, just subtle posturing. I can not comment on mixing types but I think it might be doable.
This is a very passive fish with regard to other fish, not the easiest fish to acclimate either.

 

I bought three( all reds) and only one made it. One died in the acclimation bucket and I think the stress got to the smaller one. I saw the bigger one harass the small one every now and then but didn't think much off it as it was jus a couple of chasing sessions but I guess there was more than I saw.

 

I've had three reds for some time now and no issue between the three of them. My gf refers to them as the three witches.. They are always teamed up in my tank. When I first put them in only one was showing itself. I thought the other two died somewhere, but eventually all three made an appearance and are doing fine. I remember my LFS houses the reds and purples in different tanks.

 

JMO look into other dartfish, they are usually better in groups....