All fish / Microdesmidae

Purple Firefish

Nemateleotris decora

Also known as elegant firefish, decorated firefish, flame dartfish, purple dartfish, decorated dartfish, elegant dartfish, purple fire goby, decora goby, purple firegoby, ハタタテハゼ属, アケボノハゼ, 华丽线塘鳢

A slender dartfish with a pale yellow to white head that blends into violet and purple fins, topped by a very tall, flicking first dorsal spine. It is kept for its gentle nature and bright colours, and works well in calm reef tanks with small, peaceful tankmates.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair; rivals of the same species often fight

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and small marine pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-West Pacific: Mauritius and the Maldives east to Samoa, north to Japan, south to Australia and New Caledonia

Breeding

Pairs live in a burrow and the male guards eggs laid inside it. Captive spawning has been seen but rearing the tiny larvae is very hard, so almost all fish sold are wild caught.

Good to know

Firefish are well known for jumping, so a tight lid or mesh cover is essential, and they hide or starve when kept with boisterous or aggressive fish. Give rockwork with bolt holes and a sand bed.