Firemouth help

[gejegeb69]

I have recently bought I young Firemouth who is around 2 inches, it seems quite shy and stays in around its cave which I expect as its new, is has just started to dig a pit in the sand in its cave and whenever a BA tetra swims into the cave the Firemouth will chase it back out the entrance, I am wondering if this is normal behavior and could it be it is building a nest? There is currently just the one Firemouth in the tank and I am under the impression it’s a Male as it has pointed dorsal and anal fins, thanks.

 

[rlederer]

It is nest building behavior. You should get another firemouth or more - they will raise young and the behavior is fascinating. Also, fish are much happier with others of their own.

 

[gejegeb69]

My LFS has said they’ll be getting some more in so I’ll be gettin another soon thanks.

 

[gejegeb69]

Any chance I could breed firemouths in the 40 gallon, I’ve heard that it’s best to buy multiple and let them pair off but a 40 gallon breeder won’t be big enough for me to get multiple.

 

[rlederer]

I’ve had six firemouths in a 40 gallon and they bred readily.

 

[gejegeb69]

6 at once? How many of them bred? What size were they? Thankyou

 

[rlederer]

Six in the tank, two pairs bred. They were about 3-4 inches.

 

[gejegeb69]

Did they all breed together in the tank or did you have to separate them?

 

[rlederer]

They were all in the same tank. Just give them hiding places - rocks, logs, etc.

 

[gejegeb69]

Ok Thankyou

 

[gejegeb69]

Also how long did they stay in the tank from when you bought them or have you still got them in a 40 breeder