Purple Firefish - Nemateleotris decora
Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora)
The Purple Firefish, Nemateleotris decora, is a graceful and colourful marine dartfish with a pale body, rich purple head markings and flowing fins edged with red, violet, orange and darker tones. Also known as the Elegant Firefish or Decorated Dartfish, this Indo-West Pacific species is a superb choice for peaceful reef aquariums. It is generally reef safe, modest in size and visually striking, but it needs calm tank mates, good cover and a secure lid because it is shy by nature and an accomplished jumper.
Common Name:
Purple Firefish, Elegant Firefish, Decorated Dartfish, Purple Fire Goby, Purple Dartfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Nemateleotris decora
Maximum Size:
Usually around 8–9 cm, with some aquarium references giving up to 10 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-West Pacific, including areas from the western Indian Ocean across to the western and central Pacific. Naturally found around outer reef slopes, reef bases, rubble patches, sandy areas and hard open bottoms, often in moderate to strong current zones. It is commonly seen hovering close to a burrow or rock shelter and darts into cover when alarmed.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Peaceful and shy. Best kept with other calm reef-safe fish that will not bully it or outcompete it for food. It may be territorial towards other firefish or similar dartfish unless kept as a bonded pair or in a suitably large aquarium with multiple territories.
Diet:
Zooplanktivore with a mainly carnivorous diet. In the wild, it feeds on tiny planktonic crustaceans, especially copepods and crustacean larvae. In the aquarium, offer small meaty foods such as frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, finely chopped krill and quality marine micro pellets. Feed small portions regularly, especially in active reef systems with stronger water movement.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 90 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for pairs or mixed peaceful communities. Provide open swimming space as well as caves, crevices and rubble-style shelter.
Behaviour & Activity:
A hover-and-dart species that spends much of its time suspended just above the rockwork or substrate, watching the water column for passing food. When startled, it quickly retreats into a chosen hole or crevice. It is often found singly or in pairs and is most confident in aquariums with peaceful tank mates, stable water quality and plenty of secure hiding places. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as firefish are well known for jumping.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals or graze sessile invertebrates, making it well suited to peaceful reef aquariums. Avoid housing with predatory fish, aggressive dottybacks, large hawkfish or large predatory shrimps that may intimidate or injure it.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Requires a secure lid, as jumping is one of the main risks with this species. Avoid aggressive or boisterous tank mates and make sure it is feeding well, as shy individuals can be outcompeted. Keep singly, as a confirmed pair, or only in larger aquariums with careful planning, because unrelated firefish may fight. Provide caves, overhangs and rubble-style hiding areas near open swimming space. A mature, stable reef aquarium with moderate water movement is ideal.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
Original: $47.09
-65%$47.09
$16.48
Description
Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora)
The Purple Firefish, Nemateleotris decora, is a graceful and colourful marine dartfish with a pale body, rich purple head markings and flowing fins edged with red, violet, orange and darker tones. Also known as the Elegant Firefish or Decorated Dartfish, this Indo-West Pacific species is a superb choice for peaceful reef aquariums. It is generally reef safe, modest in size and visually striking, but it needs calm tank mates, good cover and a secure lid because it is shy by nature and an accomplished jumper.
Common Name:
Purple Firefish, Elegant Firefish, Decorated Dartfish, Purple Fire Goby, Purple Dartfish.
Scientific Name (Latin):
Nemateleotris decora
Maximum Size:
Usually around 8–9 cm, with some aquarium references giving up to 10 cm.
Water Type:
Marine
Origin / Natural Habitat:
Indo-West Pacific, including areas from the western Indian Ocean across to the western and central Pacific. Naturally found around outer reef slopes, reef bases, rubble patches, sandy areas and hard open bottoms, often in moderate to strong current zones. It is commonly seen hovering close to a burrow or rock shelter and darts into cover when alarmed.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025
Temperament:
Peaceful and shy. Best kept with other calm reef-safe fish that will not bully it or outcompete it for food. It may be territorial towards other firefish or similar dartfish unless kept as a bonded pair or in a suitably large aquarium with multiple territories.
Diet:
Zooplanktivore with a mainly carnivorous diet. In the wild, it feeds on tiny planktonic crustaceans, especially copepods and crustacean larvae. In the aquarium, offer small meaty foods such as frozen mysis, enriched brineshrimp, copepods, cyclops, finely chopped krill and quality marine micro pellets. Feed small portions regularly, especially in active reef systems with stronger water movement.
Minimum Tank Size:
A minimum of 90 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for pairs or mixed peaceful communities. Provide open swimming space as well as caves, crevices and rubble-style shelter.
Behaviour & Activity:
A hover-and-dart species that spends much of its time suspended just above the rockwork or substrate, watching the water column for passing food. When startled, it quickly retreats into a chosen hole or crevice. It is often found singly or in pairs and is most confident in aquariums with peaceful tank mates, stable water quality and plenty of secure hiding places. A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential, as firefish are well known for jumping.
Reef Safe:
Reef Safe
Safe with corals and most ornamental invertebrates. It does not nip corals or graze sessile invertebrates, making it well suited to peaceful reef aquariums. Avoid housing with predatory fish, aggressive dottybacks, large hawkfish or large predatory shrimps that may intimidate or injure it.
Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Requires a secure lid, as jumping is one of the main risks with this species. Avoid aggressive or boisterous tank mates and make sure it is feeding well, as shy individuals can be outcompeted. Keep singly, as a confirmed pair, or only in larger aquariums with careful planning, because unrelated firefish may fight. Provide caves, overhangs and rubble-style hiding areas near open swimming space. A mature, stable reef aquarium with moderate water movement is ideal.
Suitable for:
Beginner to intermediate fishkeepers
Availability:
Common in trade
All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.
