Fire Goby

Nemateleotris magnifica

Also known as Firefish; Fire Dart Fish and Magnificent Dartfish

Max Length: 8 cm (3.1in)

Range: Tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, from South Africa to the Marquesas. In the Pacific, extends north to the Hawaiian and Ryukyu Islands, and south to New Caledonia.

Min Aquarium Size: 20 gal (76 litre) 30 gall recommended

Food: Meaty foods, finely chopped or shaved fresh of frozen seafood, frozen preparations for carnivores, frozen or live brine shrimp, mysid shrimp. Planktivore, it feeds mostly on prey suspended in the water but will feed off the substrate on occasion. Feed at least once a day.

Reef Aquarium Compatibility: Excellent

Care: Disease resistant and easily acclimatises to a new home. Needs plenty of hiding holes. Loose coral gravel base is preferred. More aggressive than other firefishes, house singly or in male female pairings. More aggressive fish will cause it to hide away and possibly starve to death. Needs an enriched varied diet to maintain colouration. Can jump through small openings!

The Fire Goby is also known as the Firefish, Firefish Goby, Magnificent Dartfish, or Fire Dartfish. Its head is yellow, the anterior portion of the body is white, and the posterior portion a pinkish to orangey red. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are highlighted in black. In the wild, Fire Gobies are usually found in groups hovering over the reef, harvesting planktonic food that drifts by in the current. Each Fire Goby will have a "bolt-hole," which it quickly ducks into when threatened.

Fire Goby have always been one of the more popular fish in the marine hobby. There are two, closely-related fish, the Flame (Purple) Firefish, N. decora and the rarely seen N. helfrichi.

Because they try to jump out of the tank, especially if stressed, the Fire Goby requires a 30 gallon tank or larger. Hobbyists who use a halide system with an open top should construct a Plexiglas "edge" around the trim, at least 10" tall. It is generally not aggressive towards other fish except those of its own species; a mated pair can live peacefully. The Fire Goby prefers moderate lighting conditions, with a moderate current passing over the reef.

Along with algae and zooplankton growing in the tank, the diet of the Fire Goby should consist of finely chopped small crustaceans, vitamin-enriched brine fish (live or frozen), mysid shrimp, and prepared foods.

Occurring singly or in small group, this species hovers in the water column, a few centimetres above sand or rubble, selectively feeding on drifting zooplankton. Usually has a small territory around a hole, cave, or burrow into which it retreats at the threat of danger. The burrow may be shared. Has a habit of flicking the first dorsal spine up and down, erecting the dorsal fin when threatened or defending territory.