View Full Version : Firefish - spawning behaviour
I have what seems to be a pair of purple firefish. Does anyone know their spawning behaviour? Mine regularly go into a depression under a piece of rock together (always the same one), sometimes with a fin-flashing display beforehand. Are they cryptic spawners?
dont have a clue but i think you should arrange a meet so we can all see them :D
jamie
Yes, will do, Jamie, but I'll wait a bit - you don't want to just see a tank full of frags.......:o
So anyone else have an idea?
Still nothing - where are the experts.....? ;)
They're still doing it: they've now chosen a hole in the rock and are going in together and making what looks like cleaning movements. Frustrating as the hole is sideways on and I can't see what they're up to.
hi mate, been having a look on the web and theres not much about on the subject, do you have a latin name so i can look for the specific species?
anyway from what ive found theres no account of a hobbyist breeding them (cant find one or they never published it!) and anybody that has managed it isn't saying how
sorry but i am trying!!
jamie
latin name - Nemateleotris decora
Thanks for trying, Jamie. Yes, I've tried the web without much success, which is why I thought I'd ask on here.
Silverback
04-09-06, 23:02
Beautiful Fish Clive!!
Just had a quick check in Helmut Debelius' book... He mentions the kind of behaviour that you're referring to, but he infers this is just how the pair retreats into their hide.
Karl
Cheers, Karl. Does he mention the (sometimes prolonged) displaying before they disappear?
I have a pair which do exactly the same, they also swim upwards together.
They seem happy chilling in their under rock hideout.
Kev
Silverback
05-09-06, 22:04
Cheers, Karl. Does he mention the (sometimes prolonged) displaying before they disappear?
Afraid not!! There's just a really very nice picture of the two of them, one part way into the "hide" and the other holding station a little way above with the dorsal extended......
A pair of these little beauties is on my wish list (as and when I finally get the tank together!!).........
Karl
In nature, fire fish live in pairs. I have seen (Zanzibar) on a productive (re drifting zoo plankton) reef slope many pairs (twenty plus) of the red fire fish. They hover just above their bolt hole feeding. When they feel threatened by seeing other large fish nearby they retreat. They will keep the bolt hole nice and tidy by removing unwanted sand, gravel with their mouth.
In an aquarium with just peaceful fish (NB: don't add dottybacks) the firefish will be on show much more, especially at feeding time.
In a pet shop, they are usually seen in shoals with no bolt holes (for easy removal with a net), this is the opposite of their natural nature.
They are very easy to keep, a good beginners fish. I have several in my tanks.
Best Regards
Nigel
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