Worried About A New Firefish

[Bettafanatic]

Got a purple firefish today and I'm very worried about him. I acclimated him and as soon as I put him in the tank, he went straight into a cave. Thing is, he still hasn't come out. He looks very tired and very stressed, just resting on the bottom of the cave. I know he isn't dead because my shrimp would've pulled him out and made a meal out of him already if he was.

My question is is this normal behavior for new firefish and will he come out and explore tomorrow? Or should I be worried? I was just asking because my old firefish didn't hide on the first day, she explored and even got a cleaning from the shrimp. I don't know if he'll make it through the night or not. What do you think?

 

[Nu-Nu the eel]

New fish are shy, i have yet to own a fish that didnt hide the day i put him in. Be patient.

 

[Bettafanatic]

Thank goodness. I was very worried. Before this, I was yet to have a new fish that did hide the first day! My old firefish was much spunkier and braver that she didn't hide the first day. He seems so stressed though, I hope he'll be okay by tomorrow. Thank you, that makes me feel much better.

 

[msmonikatou]

I think that each one has different personalities or behaviors. I have a pair of firefish that I bought from the same tank at the pet store. One comes out several times a day, especially during feeding time. The other one never comes out. I panicked the first couple of weeks thinking it was dead, but everytime I moved my rock, there it was! He or she is just happy to hide all day.

 

[Bettafanatic]

The fish is all settled now. He comes out whenever he think no ones looking. Very true about each fish having different personalities.

 

[Sniperhank]

It also takes some time for fish to adjust to their new surroundings.