Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Fire goby, Fire dartfish, Fire fish
Family
Microdesmidae (dartfishes and wormfishes)
Origin
Indo-Pacific (range not checked for this page).
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
9 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
75 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

Tank: a reef or fish-only aquarium with rockwork and caves for shelter. Tank: an estimated minimum of about 75 litres (our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a figure from the sources), with a secure lid. Water: the sources give no species-specific figures, so the values here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and specific gravity 1.023–1.026. Keep conditions stable with good filtration and regular water changes. Behaviour: Dartfish hover above a burrow or crevice and dart into it when alarmed. They are prone to jumping, so a tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is essential. Identification: A white-fronted dartfish with a red-orange rear and a tall front dorsal fin; up to about 9 cm. Trade: not CITES-listed. This page is based on the Wikipedia list entry only; the species article was not checked, so range and behaviour details should be confirmed before relying on them. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies). Checked October 2026.

Diet

No diet details were checked for this species. As general guidance for dartfish, offer small frozen foods such as mysis, brine shrimp and copepods several times a day, fed into the water column.

Breeding

No breeding information was checked for this page. Dartfish are rarely bred in aquaria.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe per the list. Peaceful: keep singly or as a mated pair, with other peaceful fish.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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