Lost Firefish?!?

[Barrett.Oliver]

I'm rather puzzled this morning...

I got my self a Firefish last night (beautiful fish for a beginner fish by the way). I just can't seem to find him.

Acclimated for about 2 1/2 hours last night, then let him loose. The tank had a snack and about 4 hours later he is nowhere to be found. Had a look this morning and still nothing besides the Clown and Yellow Watchman.

Had my brother check just moments ago, to no avail? Any ideas as to whats going on? He's not on the carpet anywhere either, I'm just confused, I know they hide but would it be this long.

Thanks to anyone who has something to say too!

[CLINT]

did you have a lid or any animals?I had a firefish and found it about 6 feet from the tank against a wall perfectly preserved.If my cat was in the room there would have been no evidence.Clint

[OCDP]

Firefish are natorious for being very shy and skittish. I am almost certain he is hiding. They are long, skinny fish, which means they can get into tight spots we can't always see.

I purchased a purple firefish a few weeks ago, and he hid for a while when first introduced. Be patient, he is more than likely in there.

I'd suggest taking a good hard look for him later on. They can hide very well. And yes, it would hide for this long, he was only introduced last night.. sometimes it takes a couple days... be patient and keep your eyes on things.

Good luck,

[Barrett.Oliver]

Neither a lid nor do I have any animals. Although I had the flashlight out last night and scoped everything floorwise this morning too.

Still nothing.

[hillbillyreefer]

Two things firefish are good at: hiding, they are very reclusive, and jumping. I've had two both met the same fate while carpet surfing. One was found right beside the tank, the other was about 10 feet across the room. Hopefully yours is just hiding in the rockwork.

Good Luck

[fishoholic]

I had one hide in my tank for a month and a half. I thought for sure he had either jumped out or starved to death and got eaten by something in the tank. Turned out that he was scared and hidding from the trigger we put in the tank. As soon as we sold the trigger (a month and a half after getting him) the firefish came out of hidding. Unfortunatly our firefish took to carpet surfing during a tank move later on. :sad:

[digital-audiophile]

I've had a firefish in my tank for ~6 months. The only time I ever see him is at feeding time :p

[Patrick1]

I see mine once every 4 months

[OCDP]

You might also want to check your tankmates, and your current flow in the tank.

I had lots of flow in my tank (K4, Seio 820) and I thought this could be contributing to my firefish staying in the rocks.

Removed the K4 for a K1, and the firefish is front and center at all times now!

Just a thought.

[Barrett.Oliver]

I have K2 in the tank and nothing more.....the only other fish in the tank are the watchman, and the clown

Thanks everyone for their insight, I'll be keeping my eyes peeled much longer I assume.

[Barrett.Oliver]

Just a quick update to those who offered their help to me.

Must have been a little bit of the "first day jitters" because he front and center now ladies and gents!

Thanks again for all your help.

[OCDP]

Glad to hear. They are great at hiding themselves.

[hillbillyreefer]

Glad to hear that. Nothing worse than losing a fish within a few hours of brining it home.