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Helfrich Vs. Purple Firefish: Which One to Choose For Your Aquarium
By Howard Parke from aquifarm.com
Some people’s passions include fish farming. However, not everyone has professional-level knowledge. It’s important to choose the proper one.
Current aquarium trends and popularity include Helfrich and purple firefish. Therefore, picking just one may be difficult for one person.
Content Table
Introduction
Are you in a dilemma to decide between Helfrich Vs. Purple Firefish?
Helfrich grows up faster than purple firefish. The growth rate of these fish is far higher than the purple firefish. However, the appearance of the purple firefish is visibly more unique. The production of purple fish is more budget-friendly. But, Helfrich requires a large financial investment.
You now have a preview of today’s discussion. Soon, we’ll get into a more specific comparison and explanation of these two fishes. Scroll down to get a detailed overview.
Helfrich vs. Purple Firefish: Quick Comparison
Do you agree that it would be beneficial to have a heads-up first before the actual argument begins? Let’s begin the quick compassion between the Purple Firefish with the Helfrich.
| Aspects | Helfrich | Purple Firefish |
| Characteristic | Peaceful but Aggressive towards own species | Peaceful but Aggressive towards own species |
| Reef Safe | Yes | Yes |
| Growing Period | Approximately 25 days | Approximately 30 days |
| Appearance | (Basic Body) Pale lavender | Plenty of colors (mostly purple, red, yellow) |
| Aquarium Condition | Positive | Positive |
| Lifespan | Up to 3 years | Up to 3 years |
| Care Level | Easy | Easy |
| Diet | Carnivorous | Carnivorous |
| Price | $150 to $ 250 | $50 to $ 70 |
Let’s get started.
Helfrich vs. Purple Firefish: Detailed Comparison
We have found a quick comparison between these two fishes, so let’s start to make a detailed comparison to choosing one from them.
Characteristics & Reef Safety
In this segment, we will learn about these two fish behavior types and their nature in a tank.
Helfrich
Helfrich’s Dartfish or Helfrich’s Firefish are other names for Helfrichi’s Firefish. Their behavior of floating in the aquatic environment permits close monitoring, and they don’t beg for food when their handler approaches the tank.
They are an excellent choice for inhabitants of reef aquariums since they do not prey on other marine life. These fish are reef-safe and may be maintained in an aquarium with other peaceful species.
They fit easily into most aquariums and don’t require much upkeep. They are easy to feed and seldom get ill. Gobies like this usually stay on the sand, gravel and rock substrate at the aquarium’s bottom, where they may dig and burrow. But this kind is also well-known for its jumping abilities.
Thus, a secure covering is required. Moreover, all of these characteristics make them desirable aquarium inhabitants.
Purple
Most of the time, this dartfish may be seen searching for food alone in the tank’s deeper parts. Purple firefish are not aggressive against other species. However, they may be aggressive towards their own kind. Only one may be placed in a given tank.
A few users have managed to maintain a male and female in the same tank, but this isn’t recommended. They’re satisfied with their isolated existence. They prefer to be alone in the wild and only interact with others while mating.
Species of this kind do not harm coral reefs and may be safely enjoyed there.
Purple firefish may retreat to caves when threatened but otherwise may usually be seen swimming freely.
Growing Period
This gives you an idea of how long these fish will take to mature. In addition to this, you will be able to learn when their reproductive cycle begins and ends.
Helfrich
In general, it does not take the Helfrich fish very long to mature. It usually takes a fish around 20 to 25 days to reach its full maturity. Therefore, this is a relatively small period for fish to mature into adult forms.
As a direct consequence, these fish’ breeding period is much shorter. It takes these fish up to a month at the very most before they begin to reproduce.
After around 30 days from the time of their birth, they begin to lay eggs. As a result, the time is short. You may expect a small number of fish to grow into a big group of fish.
Purple
The purple firefish, like the Helfrich fish, may reach their full size in a shorter amount of time. On the other hand, they require a little bit more time.
More specifically, these fish’s growth period is around 30 days. Therefore, it takes at least thirty days for these fish to mature into their adult forms. The same thing happens after a month with these fish; they begin the process of reproduction.
After around 30 to 35 days, they begin mating and depositing eggs. Breeding may last for up to 45 days. Therefore, the amount of time necessary for this process is rather short compared to the period required for many other species.
Purple firefish
Tankmates
This segment will provide you with how you should choose the tankmates for the Helfrich and Purple Firefishfishes, and you will see how that works.
Helfrich
Helfrich’s firefish requires a well-covered aquarium and tranquil tankmates. Keeping firefish alongside larger fish-like tangs is hit-or-miss.
These fishes are unlikely to encounter firefishes, although some become acclimated to them. Most likely, the firefish will be terrified by its tankmates, and you’ll seldom see it.
Tiny cardinals (Zoramia, Apogon, and Archamia species), forktails (Assessor species), mandarins, and scooters Synchiropus (if the tank is sufficient), small gobies, and Meiacanthus fang blennies provide good companions for N. helfrichi.
Problematic tankmates are aggressive planktivorous species. These include Pseudanthias wreckfishes, Cirrhilabrus and Pseudocheilinus wrasses, tiny benthic predators (damsels), and dottybacks. Even the calmest (Pseudochromis fridmani and P. springeri) may be violent against firefish.
Purple
They are mostly a peaceful species. They get along well with other marine fish in a communal aquarium.
They are only aggressive to their own species. This sometimes applies to other dartfish species. So, monitor for aggressiveness and separate offenders if necessary.
Having a single Purple Firefish in one aquarium is the safest option. Your Purple Firefish should be kept with tranquil, similar-sized tankmates. You can include Clownfish, Green Chromis, Pajama Cardinalfish, Butterflyfish, and Blennies.
The addition of invertebrates is an excellent approach to broaden the scope of the activities that take place in an aquarium. Shrimps and snails make for quite intriguing tank mates, and Purple Firefish seem to get along well with both of them.
Also, corals are featured as one kind of invertebrate that will do well in your arrangement.
Aquarium Care
In this segment, you will learn about aquarium care for these two fishes, which will be easier for you to take care of them.
Helfrich
As the smallest firefish (maximum 6 cm), N. helfrichi may be kept in nano-reef aquariums, but mates must be chosen carefully. Fewer spaces may increase fishes’ territorial tendencies.
It needs a 20-gallon tank with loose coral. As a deep water fish, N. helfrichi may prefer colder, less highly illuminated environments than coral tanks.
Helfrich firefish
Purple
Purple Firefish size grows to 4 inches long, making them perfect for a small reef aquarium. These fish can survive slight environmental changes if issues are rectified soon. These are a great choice for beginners who want to fish farm in the aquarium.
After setting up the aquarium and adding the fish, you need to care and focus on tank maintenance. This includes frequent cleaning and maintaining water conditions.
You will find the cleaning and water conditioning product on Hygger aquarium.
Which One To Choose?
After all the details, here you go if you haven’t decided yet.
Helfrich is the type to choose if you are worried about the development phase. The time it takes for Helfrich to mature is shorter, too. Also, it needs more investment.
However, purple firefish are the best option if looks are your main concern. Plus, raising these fish costs relatively little money. Also, you can put only one purple fish in your aquarium to start with.
FAQs
Can the Purple Firefish and a firefish reside?
No, they will often kill one another unless you get a male and female pair.
How friendly are Purple Firefish to the reef environment?
In general, purple firefish are not harmful to reefs since they seldom, if ever, bite soft corals or clams. They’ll usually get along well with other peaceful fish (except their own species) in the tank since they tend to be quiet and shy.
What kind of food does Helfrich firefish consume?
Carnivorous in nature, Helfrich Firefish search the water column for prey species, including amphipods, copepods, small crustaceans, and other zooplankton in their native habitat.
Verdict
We are hopeful about guiding you to choose between Helfrich Vs. Purple Firefish for your aquarium. Both options are good to go. You just need to set up your mind about your preferences, and you are good to go.
Happy firefish farming!