From Aqua Guide, the free encyclopedia
Firefish Goby
Nemateleotris magnifica
- Temperature
- 24–27 °C
- Salinity
- 1.02 – 1.026 SG
- Min. tank size
- 75 L
- Lifespan
- 3-5 years
- Diet
- carnivore
- Care level
- easy
| Scientific classification | |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name: | Nemateleotris magnifica |
| Family: | Microdesmidae |
| Origin: | Indo-Pacific reefs |
| Care Characteristics | |
| Care Level: | easy |
| Diet: | carnivore |
| Max Size: | 9.00 cm |
| Water Type: | marine |
| Temp Group: | tropical |
| Reef Safe: | Reef Safe |
| Temperament: | peaceful |
| Min Group: | Can be kept alone |
| Varieties: | No cultivated strains — the wild-type gradient from white through orange to fiery red is what is sold, and it varies modestly between individuals and with mood. Captive-bred specimens appear occasionally. The genus Nemateleotris contains several species in the trade and they are worth distinguishing. N. magnifica, this fish, is the common firefish, white-fronted with a red tail. N. decora, the purple firefish or elegant firefish, is purple and magenta and generally considered the more striking. N. helfrichi, Helfrich's firefish, is a pale, deep-water species and considerably more expensive. All three share the tall signalling dorsal, the burrow habit, the peaceful temperament and the jumping. Among other dartfish, the Ptereleotris species — the scissortail and blue gudgeon dartfish — are larger, school more readily and jump just as enthusiastically. |
| Lifespan: | 3-5 years |
Quick Tips
- Bioload:Low
- Min Tank:75 L
- Substrate:Live rock with crevices to bolt into; sand
- Plant Safe:Yes
- Filtration:Moderate (reef conditions)
Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a species of fish in the family Microdesmidae. It is native to Indo-Pacific reefs. The firefish is one of the best small marine fish there is, and it comes with one warning printed in every account of it: it jumps. It hovers in the current above its burrow, white at the front, grading through orange to a deep fiery red at the tail, with a tall first dorsal fin that it flicks back and forth as a signal to others of its kind. It reaches 9 cm and ranges from East Africa to Hawaii, on reefs between 6 and 70 metres, typically facing into the current while hunting. It is peaceful, reef safe, suitable for novice marine aquarists — and it will leave an uncovered tank on the first day.
Compatibility
- Temperament
- peaceful
- Keep in
- Can be kept alone
- Swims
- middle
- Fin nipper
- No
- Delicate fins
- No
- Reef
- Reef Safe
Species similar to Firefish Goby
Matched on family, then category, then water type