Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Purple Firefish Goby, also referred to as the Decorated Firefish or Dartfish and Purple Dartfish, is native to the western Indo-Pacific. The body is an off-yellow to white color, with deep shades of maroon and purple that begin at the top of the head throughout the dorsal fin toward the tail and anal fins. Most similar to the Exquisite Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris exquisita), however the Exquisite firefish goby is more yellow in color with a rounder face and is found in deeper waters. Firefish gobies are rarely aggressive towards tank-mates, making them a great candidate for nano aquariums and community reef tanks. A Purple 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 Purple 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. A Purple firefish will conflict and be territorial with its own kind unless they are a male-female pair. Sexing Purple firefish can be difficult. Do not house a Purple 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: Small to Medium: 1-3/4″ to 2-3/4″; Large: 2-3/4″ or larger.
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
