Purple Firefish question

[Bob I]

Does anyone have any anecdotal evidence regarding the survival of Purple Firefish . I bought two on Feb 8th 2004. In September of the same year, I saw only one occasionally. I purchased a new one to see if it would bring the other one out of hiding. It did bring it out, but it did not look good. Today only the new one is in evidence. That one still looks good. I have a horrible feeling the other two became worm food. Any thoughts Interestingly the Mandarin I bought one week later (Feb. 15th 2004) is still doing fine in the same tank.