Firefish Goby
Nemateleotris magnifica · family Microdesmidae
Also: Magnificent Dartfish, Red Fire Goby
Parameters
- Temperature
- 24–28 °C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Hardness
- 12–18 °dGH
- Tank volume
- from 60 L
- Maximum size
- up to 8 cm
- Group size
- min 1, ideal 2
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Swimming zone
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Lifespan
- 3–5 years
Description
The Firefish Goby or Magnificent Dartfish (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a reef-safe nano jewel featuring a pearlescent white forebody that blends into a blazing red-orange tail, topped by an elongated dorsal pennant that flicks rhythmically as it hovers in mid-water.
Care
Keep singly or as a bonded pair in a 60+ liter reef aquarium (SG 1.023–1.025, pH 8.1–8.4) with plenty of bolt-holes in live rock and a tight-fitting mesh lid, as Firefish are notorious jumpers when startled.
Feeding
Zooplankton feeder that snatches food suspended in the current: frozen copepods, enriched brine shrimp, Mysis, and fine marine micro-pellets.
Breeding
Monogamous pairs spawn inside a secret burrow beneath live rock rubble.
Compatibility
- Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Отличные мирные соседи для нано-рифа от 80 л. / Peaceful, colorful nano-reef companions.
Good
FAQ
- Can I keep a group of Firefish Gobies in a nano reef?
- No. While juveniles school, adult Firefish become territorial toward conspecifics in confined tanks; keep a single specimen or a verified bonded pair.
Goldie editorial team
Practising aquarists with a combined 30+ years of experience · Biologists and editors, fact-checking against FishBase and Seriously Fish · Every piece is reviewed by a qualified ichthyologist before publication
Scientific board — ichthyologists and veterinarians
Ichthyologists and veterinarians with university degrees · Reference FishBase, Seriously Fish and peer-reviewed literature · Sign every reviewed article with their credentials shown
Sources
- FishBase: Nemateleotris magnifica · FishBase · 2026-05-22
- Seriously Fish: Nemateleotris magnifica · Seriously Fish · 2026-05-22