"It will rarely become aggressive towards other fish, but is territorial, and will fight with its own kind unless they are a mated pair."
- Source:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...cfm?pCatId=173
"They are said to be social...but I have read all too often that people keep them in large groups and little by little they begin to disappear until only one is left. Because of this I would only keep them in mated pairs (if you were lucky enough to find one) or singly."
- Source:
http://www.aquahobby.com/marine/e_firefish.php
"Regardless of that fact, firefish are not 'grouping' or 'schooling' fish. They do tend to group up as juveniles, however once they reach maturity (and even sometimes before so) they are highly aggressive and territorial fish towards other firefish within the group. It is best to always purchase firefish singly and never as a pair or group. Many vendors are now marketing 'mated pairs' of firefish, however even these fish will turn on each other in relatively short time."
- Source:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/drtfshselfaqs.htm
"I've been reading up on Firefish a bit, and from your site I've found that they don't do well unless they are in pairs.
<true for most... but they need to select their own pairs... as in, having been caught as a pair or forming a pair in captivity upon re-establishment>
I was told by a fellow reefer that unless you get two of opposite sex, once mature they will kill each other. Is this true?
<not so absolute... many aquarists enjoy various numbered populations... the key is larger aquaria with peaceful tankmates. If you have a smaller tank (under 100 gallons) do be sure to see that the pair behave as if pair bonded in your merchants tank and do so for more than a week after import."
- Source:
http://www.wetwebmedia.com/drtfshselfaqs.htm