Fire fish will not come out

[Reefer madness92]

I got a fire fish like 4 days ago. He ate once and found a nice spot to hide allll day. I can see him from the side of the tank he's alive but he's missed 3 feedings I don't wanna move my rocks. Any advice....?

[Mr Cob]

if your tank is cycled and all the basics of water parameters are covered, he's probably just acclimating still, they are pretty shy fish.

Also a possibility that you have a bully fish keeping him hidden? I had a 6 line that wouldn't let my firefish come out...got rid of the 6 line and the fire fish were out all the time.

[Reefer madness92]

I have an engineer that smelled him once but never bullied he was out for a good while til he found the cave he's in, everyone's peaceful in the tank I've seem them all interact just fine. Yea these guys are super shy he takes off fast when he sees me. I guess the only thing to ask is how long til he starves,oh and tank is cycled and parameters are perfect ph nitrates low from cheato and water change yesterday

[Mr Cob]

I think it takes a fish in an established reef aquarium a long time to starve...assuming he is not eating anything. Like a month or more. That's good that he foudn a cave he likes...give him a couple of weeks and he'll start coming out more provided everyone stays peaceful.

Also, try and feed with the pumps off and step away from the tank/room during feeding time. I recently had a fox face that I had to do this with the first couple of weeks.

[BBQHILLBILLY]

Firefish are kool. Get him a friend another same firefish. poor thing. lol fish psychology They like to swim in pairs. Keep a lid they like to jump.

[Reefer madness92]

Firefish are kool. Get him a friend another same firefish. poor thing. lol fish psychology They like to swim in pairs. Keep a lid they like to jump.

I wanted to but phenomenal only had one and I don't like to buy from petco (they seem to always have them) but I would like another there beautiful.

[Reefer madness92]

I think it takes a fish in an established reef aquarium a long time to starve...assuming he is not eating anything. Like a month or more. That's good that he foudn a cave he likes...give him a couple of weeks and he'll start coming out more provided everyone stays peaceful.

Also, try and feed with the pumps off and step away from the tank/room during feeding time. I recently had a fox face that I had to do this with the first couple of weeks. defenetly a good idea thanks for the peace of mind

[Brownbear88]

Had two of these guys before my pistol shrimp eat/killed them but ya it took about a month before they would come out and allow me to be near the tank to see them, give it time and they'll show you some love :bighug:

[tebstan]

Getting him a friend might help, might not... 50/50 chance it will work long term. I started with two juveniles, they were fine together for a year. Then they suddenly weren't, apparently they had matured and didn't like each other anymore. The submissive one slowly starved.. it took months. It was terrible to watch, but I never could catch him, and he was too shy to target feed. If you have very passive tank occupants, you might have better luck, but if you have aggressive eaters this species may always feel threatened

[Ms_Big_Pun]

I wanted to but phenomenal only had one and I don't like to buy from petco (they seem to always have them) but I would like another there beautiful.

Plenty of other LFS have fire fish. It's the typical stock of a fish store.

[jcnkt_ellis]

A lot depends on the personality of the fish. My first firefish was on the shy side like yours and wouldn't stay out if I approached the tank too fast. However, I currently have three that swim out in the open all day and get in with the tangs, damsels, and wrasses for food.

[Flyride95]

I have a yellow headed jawfish. Had him for about 12 days now and all he does is hides in his hole. Doesn't come out for anything what so ever. The only food he eats is what I can manage to get into his hole. I guess it's a matter of time until I can see him come out of there.