Dartfish

Dartfish are a delight to have and are an excellent choice to make for housing in an aquarium. Also known as Firefish or Fire Dartfish, they are a good community fish and are very comfortable in a reef setting. They do like a cave or to burrow in sandy substrate.

  • Parentage and appearance: These fish belong to the family Microdesmidae, or Wormfishes. Before 1986, the Firefish or Fire Dartfish were classified as blennies and gobies. The Wormfishes comprise 36 species of eel-like fishes that include the closely related Purple Firefish, Nemateleotris decora. Their elongated dorsal fin is used to signal other firefish as well as a "locking device" similar to the triggerfish. Firefish or Fire Dartfish adults can grow to 6.0 cm (2.4 inches). These fishes are amongst the most distinctive and desired gobies, with their characteristic body shape, bright colors and flicking dorsal fins. There are two top fins, the first sporting six spines, the second with one spiny ray and four or five soft rays. There are four genera of about thirty described species.
  • Varieties: The genus Nemateleotris contains the most popular species, the orange-red N. magnifica is "the" Firefish to many. Two other deeper water congeners are seen occasionally, the lilac and red N. decora, and yellow-faced N. helfrichi. Nemateleotris are unmistakable with their elongated anterior dorsal fin spines and perpetual body angle orientation. A highly popular variety is the Firefish Goby is also known as the Firefish, Fire 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 orangish red. The dorsal, anal, and caudal fins are highlighted in black. In the wild, Firefish Gobies are usually found in groups hovering over the reef, harvesting planktonic food that drifts by in the current. Each Firefish Goby will have a "bolt-hole," which it quickly ducks into when threatened. Firefish Goby are a sweet-tempered fish with lots of personality, making them one of the more popular fish in the marine hobby. Because of their small size, they make a great addition to the smaller reef system.
  • Maintenance: You will thankfully not have to scout around too much nor fork out a lot of dough for this fish though the Purple Firefish is somewhat rarer and slightly more expensive.You will also find it a treat to maintain this fish.. They will readily eat most anything you feed them. Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day. Since they feed on planktonic animals in the wild, they will do well with small protein foods like brine shrimp. Make sure they have plenty of places to hide, i.e. rockwork or live rock. They are a territorial fish. Each fish will require approximately 10-20 square centimeters (1.5-3.0 square inches) of vertical space. They will establish a heirarchy of dominance in the aquarium. Therefore a minimum 30 gallon aquarium is recommended. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit. The subfamily's members make excellent aquarium inhabitants for reef and peaceful all-fish set-ups.
  • Food: This fish feeds in groups in the wild, they are found swimming into currents near reef heads feeding on planktonic animals. In the wild these fishes feed throughout the day on planktonic crustaceans mainly copepods. In captivity they eagerly accept all kinds of foods.