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When I first got my firemouth not long ago he seemed shy and pretty much just hid in the back of the tank. He ended up having some sort of fungus (my bad for not using a QT ). A couple of the other fish also got it as well as ich (http://www.fishprofiles.com/files/forums/The%20Hospital/48378.html)

Treated the fish, unfortunately had some losses, today all the fish appear healthy. The firemouth though is like a totally different fish. I understand they can be territorial but he (definitely a male) has claimed the entire bottom of the tank. Not a problem except that I have a F/F pair of kribs, cories, and a BN who he's attacking, as well as black phantoms and keyholes when they venture to the bottom.

By the end of the month I plan to move things around in the tank (rocks, plants, caves) but I don't think that will matter much to him. Should I think about getting another firemouth? I wouldn't want a female and have to worry about agression with breeding; would two males get along enough and keep each other occupied so this one stops bothering the other fish? Or should I think about some other fish altogether? I don't have another tank to put him in, and I really don't want to take him back to the lfs.

Thanks for any suggestions.

edit: just wanted to add he is rather young, probably 2-2.5" now


Last edited by Theresa_M at 20-Oct-2004 07:58

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

you might have just gotten a more-than-normally aggressive firemouth. some can get quite mean, but on average they should not be overly aggressive. you might consider seeing if you can trade him for another, smaller firemouth. livebearers in the tank usually help but the black phantoms should play the role of "dithers" just fine.

i had that problem with my firemouth, i moved him into my ten gallon for a couple of days and rearranged the tank. then i put him back in and everything was fine.

Thanks for the replies. He was a bit calmer today but I'm not getting my hopes up. Moving him out temporarily might be an option, especially since I plan to rearrange the tank anyhow.

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There is water at the bottom of the ocean

i wouldn't recommend getting another firemouth. i bought two together, and after about a month of getting settled in, one of them took over and harried the oother until it stopped eating and died. now the sigle one is absolutely peaceful except that it swims really slowly after the cories and flares at the krib. no actual violence though.
rearranging isgood for anything territorial though. if this is the small firemouth from your photos i would say he may calm down with time. he'll only carry on tyranny if the other fish let him. if you can stop him being aggressive for the first 6 months, he'll probably turn out peaceful if you keep the same tankmates.