I’ve had two purple firefish for almost two years. They were buddies for the first year, but now avoid each other. One is always out in the open, one stays hidden in an impossibly small firefish shaped holed.

They don’t fight, but the one in the hole is extremely shy. I’m assuming two boys or two girls?

I’ve thought of catching the shy one to move him to a happier home, but he would not approach the trap. He barely comes out to feed and has grown skinny.

Since there’s really no way to tell a boy from a girl, would it help to introduce more firefish? I run the risk of adding more of the same gender… but they don’t appear to be aggressive with each other, just distant.

I feel bad for the little one. I don’t want him to just waste away, but I don’t want to put any more at risk either. Since I can’t catch him… any ideas? Has anyone kept groups (more than two) of firefish?