If you have ever seen Firefish, you will agree that it is one of the most unique looking saltwater fish. It is a calm yet gorgeous fish that has a very fun personality. It is also very adaptable, so it can adjust to various environments and different tank conditions.
Easy to feed and take care of, Firefish is one of the most suitable saltwater fish for you if you are a hobbyist pet fish keeper.
This thorough guide has been put together for you to understand this beautiful fish and learn everything you need to know to keep it in your saltwater aquarium.
Ideal Habitat
Firefish comes from the Red Sea. I mean, it originates from the central and western Pacific. This region includes the Red Sea. Firefish can also be found in Indonesia, Maldives, etc. It can mostly be found living in coral reefs.
In their natural habitat, they eat plankton as it flows with the water. So, in their aquarium, they would like to be fed a diet that moves with the water flow.
They tend to stay close to the reef if there are bigger and more aggressive fish in their tank. So, you should take care of this because if they are stressed out and hide, they won’t get enough diet.
Tank Size
Firefish has a history of trying to escape its tank if it feels threatened by other fish. Hence, a smaller aquarium isn’t a suitable choice for a Firefish. So, try to keep Firefish in at least a 30-gallon tank.
Tank Set-Up
Temperature: You should keep the temperature of the tank about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The wrong temperature can reduce the lifespan of the Firefish.
pH: Firefish like slightly alkaline water, so you should set the pH between 8.1 to 8.4.
Specific gravity: Ideal specific gravity for an aquarium that houses Firefish is 1.020 to 1.025.
Water hardness: This element should be kept between 8 dKH to 12 dKH.
Decorations: You should keep rocks in Firefish’s aquarium because they like structures in which they can hide in. You can also use reefs.
Tank Mates
Firefish is a very calm fish. It gets along with other fish in its aquarium and doesn’t show any aggressive behavior. However, you should also keep cool-tempered and compatible fish in the tank that houses Firefish.
Let’s see some of the options you can choose from:
1. Clownfish
2. Shrimp gobies
3. Basslets
4. Butterflyfish
5. Cardinals
6. Anthias
7. Blennies
8. Boxfish
9. Chromis
10. Damselfish
Avoid keeping larger and aggressive fish like Lionfish and Angelfish. • Can you keep Firefish with other Firefish?
No. You should avoid keeping Firefish with other Firefish as they can be aggressive towards each other. It is kind of ironic given their peaceful nature. They might feel territorial sometimes.
Diet
Though Firefish is mainly a carnivore, it does take vegetables too, so it falls in the omnivore category too. A balanced diet is important for the health of your Firefish. Let’s see what food items you can feed your Firefish.
- Chopped crabs
- Chopped shrimps
- Chopped lobsters
- Brine fish
- Black worms
- Algae
- Make sure that their diet has plenty of nutrients.
Feeding routine: You should feed your Firefish two times a day.
Care
Firefish like to stay in a clean tank. This helps them stay healthy and live longer.
Cleaning: Make sure to change 20% of their aquarium’s water every week. However, once in a while, you should carry out a deep cleaning that will include cleaning the rocks, hiding structures, and reefs.
Keep the lighting in the tank low to moderate. They don’t like bright light. Also, make sure they have enough room to swim and feed.
Conclusion
To wrap it all up, I must say that Firefish is one of the most unique yet attractive saltwater fish that you can keep at home. You will fall in love with it within hours of putting it in the saltwater aquarium you have.
Proper care and attention will ensure a long healthy life of these Firefish. You also should monitor their behavior with their tank mates as they can become stressed if harassed by other fish. They also can be territorial to smaller fish, so keep an eye on them.
I am positive that you will have a pleasant experience with beautiful Firefish. Good luck though!
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