Question About My Firemouth

[fbr]

Hi Guys, new member here but i've enjoyed reading through the forum for some time.

Right then, I have 3 Firemouths in my 125ltr tank, 2 female and 1 male. Around a month ago the male did a disappearing act and only resurfaced today. When he originally disappeared I checked the entire tank, under rocks, plants etc and he was nowhere to be found.

Like i said, he's back today but looks slightly weak, not swimming as strong and the group structure between the 3 fish has changed and he's no longer the dominant one. Is this normal behavior for Firemouths? I cannot find any reference anywhere on the net and more importantly, where the hell was the little #29### hiding in the first place lol!

For the time being I have separated him from the others, not sure if this was the right thing to do or not but any insight into this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Jon

 

[Liam2368]

Are you sure there is 2 females and 1 male? Thorichtys species are notoriously hard to sex also dynamics in Thorichtys species is ever changing even with breeding pairs as I have found out first hand. Your tank is on the small side and if they do pair off then the one left put will have to go as it will get bullied and inevitably die.

 

[fbr]

Thanks for the reply, i'm pretty sure it's 2 females and a male, I went by the fins and coloration? Appreciate your comment on one potentially getting bullied so will look into giving one of the fish back to the store or putting it into another one of my tanks?

the fish that did the vanishing act has been separated overnight and looks a lot more chipper today, will more than likely release him back into the tank with the others later today. You mentioned that the 125 ltr tank is a bit on the small size, is this on the basis of having 3 firemouths or would you suggest that it may be a bit small for 2?

Thanks again for your reply