Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

General Description: The Exquisite Firefish Goby is found in deep waters of the Western Indian Ocean. The body is a golden-yellow color, with deep shades of maroon and purple that begin at the top of the head throughout the short dorsal fin toward the tail and anal fins. It closely resembles the more common Purple Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris decora), however the Purple firefish goby is more plain in comparison, with an off yellow to white body color, and most notably has a much more pronounced dorsal fin. Firefish gobies are rarely aggressive towards tank-mates, making them a great candidate for nano aquariums and community reef tanks. An Exquisite firefish can reach a size of approximately 3″.

Diet Requirements: In the wild firefish are primarily carnivorous, feeding on small organisms suspended in the water column. A diet largely consisting of high quality, vitamin enriched frozen preparations is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, and immune function. Such foods can include, but are not limited to, brine shrimp, calanus, cyclopeeze and rotifers. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements. Multiple, small feedings per day rather than one large feeding will also create more of a natural environment for the firefish as it would feed in the wild. Firefish may accept high quality flake and micro-pellet foods.

Care Requirements: A minimum 15 to 20 gallon aquarium is ideal to house a single Exquisite firefish goby. A tight fitting lid is recommended because firefish are known to be spooked easily until they settle in, and this prevents the firefish from jumping out of the aquarium by accident. Firefish enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to take refuge in order to feel secure. An Exquisite firefish will often conflict and be territorial with its own kind unless they are a male-female pair, though this could be overcome if many individuals of Exquisite firefish were kept in an exceptionally large aquarium to provide adequate space. Sexing Exquisite firefish can be difficult. Do not house an Exquisite firefish with overly aggressive and pugnacious tank-mates. Firefish make excellent additions to reef aquariums because they will not harm any invertebrate or coral. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.

Purchase Size: Medium: 1-1/4″ to 2-1/4″; Large: 2-1/2″ to 3″

Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.