Need help with my Firemouths

jollyboy23

I have 2 firemouths in a 30 gallon long tank got them a little over a week ago.They have lots of hiding spots in tank with three large caves.I ve started getting a little worried bout them because one is getting pretty agressive towards the other.The one that is getting picked on colors are a little more bright than other but i think it is due to stress because they were both the same color when i put them in the tank. I was just wondering if i should seperate them or just wait it out any advice will help thanks alot

jollyboy23

Just got 2 firemouths a little over a week ago have them in a 30 gallon long tank 3 foot long.My question is that one keeps beating up on the other and not for sure if i should seperate them or wait it out they have lots of hiding spots and rock caves

30 gallon 2 firemouths striped peacock eel
29 gallon opaline gourami gold gourami 2 silver mollies

Byron

Do you know if you have a pair (male/female) or two males? If you read our profile (click on Firemouth) you will note that males are naturally territorial all the time, and if both fish are males one is going to be picked on continually in a small space.

BTW, I combined your two posts into this one thread, since the issue was the same. And, welcome to Tropical Fish Keeeping forum.

Byron.

jollyboy23

thanks for your help im pretty sure they are both males dont really know what to do with them right now i thought the 30 gallon long would be good for the two but i guess it might be too small any ideas on what i could i thought about putting one in my gourami tank but im pretty sure that wont work either

Byron

My suggestions would be: if you think they are both males, separate them. Return one, keep one; or in separate tanks. Depending upon the gourami species, they might get along, with sufficient room. How large is that tank, and which gourami species?

SEAWEED54

he will kill your gourami for sure
fire mouths are very aggressive fish and will prey on smaller fish

jollyboy23

thanks for the answer the gourami are in a 29 gallon one gold and one opaline with two mollies i did try to put the more agressive Firemouth in there and it didnt work they didnt like the Firemouth at all keep chasing him all over the place i eneded up donating my other Firemouth to a friend who has a 300 gallon cichlid tank so he will have a happy home. i kinda have a empty tank any suggestion on what i should put with my fire mouth in my thirty gallon long. thanks for the feedback

Byron

The profile suggests medium characins, peaceful barbs, and substrate fish. To expand with some species suggestions, in the barb the Black Ruby Barb is nice, a group of 7-8, male and female mixed [check the profile for photos and data]. The other possible barbs get a bit large for your tank. The largish characins such as Bleeding Heart Tetra, Diamond Tetra; there are a couple others but they may fin nip and with the shy Firemouth I wouldn't risk that.

jollyboy23

those black ruby barbs are cool just have no idea where i would find them lol