All fish / Microdesmidae

Firefish Goby

Nemateleotris magnifica

Also known as firefish, fire goby, magnificent dartfish, fire dartfish, red firefish, fire fish, firefish dartfish, ハタタテハゼ, 雷达鱼, 火焰虾虎

A slim dartfish with a creamy white front half that turns yellow, then orange and red towards the tail, and a tall, flicking first dorsal fin. It hovers just above its burrow picking food from the current, and its bright colours and calm nature make it a favourite in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

23 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

75 litres

Keep as

Single fish or a bonded pair; several only in a large tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Pitcairn islands

Breeding

Pairs spawn in a burrow and the male guards the eggs. The larvae are tiny and planktonic, so captive rearing is rare and difficult, although some commercial hatcheries now produce them.

Good to know

It is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential, and it hides or starves when kept with boisterous or aggressive tankmates. Members of the same species often fight unless they are a true pair.