Firemouth Question

[kmiller11]

So I bought a Firemouth at my LFS today and as soon as I put him in my tank, he went down and found a cave to hide out in, he actually kicked a Pleco out to get it. He hasn't come out since. From what I've read this is pretty typical behavior for a Firemouth. My question is, is he just adjusting to the tank and as he becomes more comfortable in his new home, will he swim around more freely?

[WhistlingBadger]

I have the same question.

[Lady Hobbs]

I had to pair that were oddballs. With one pair, the male stayed in the cave all day and the female stayed guard. The other pair was just the opposite when her hiding all day and him out and about. I found them rather timid and would run and hide when I got near the tank.

Yours will be out more with the tank lights off and just the room lights on for awhile. Mine got along with community fish and only picked on their own species.

When adding new fish to a tank, always shut those lights off. It's less stressful for them.

[ScottishFish]

Can I ask what size your firethroat is? I just got one earlier this week and he/she is like an inch or so long and is always on show, my local pet store owner said that if you introduce them to an aquarium when they are small then they are a lot more accustomed with other inhabitants and will not be as shy or bad tempered when they grow up a bit.

[kmiller11]

He's probably about 2 inches or maybe a bit bigger

[ScottishFish]

See mines is half that, is your tank densley planted or are there quite a few shaded areas and multiple hideouts? If you were to increase the plant cover and provide 2-3 caves then you fire might feel more secure and also you may see him/her moving between hideouts. Just a suggestion :)

[kmiller11]

he's been much more active today, swimming around with my other fish, only going to her cave for just a minute or two at a time

[ScottishFish]

That's good then, probably a good sign that she has settled in well :)