Zebra barred dartfish (Ptereleotris zebra) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Chinese zebra goby, Zebra dartfish
Family
Gobiidae (gobies; dartfishes sometimes placed in Microdesmidae)
Origin
Indian Ocean and western Pacific; shallow reefs at 2–31 m, mostly under 4 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
10 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
250 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

A small, pale greenish dartfish marked with thin vertical bars. In the wild it lives in schools over shallow reefs, so a small group in a long tank with open water and rocky retreats suits it well. Like other dartfishes it jumps when startled, so keep the tank covered. Wikipedia gives a maximum of 12 cm standard length; the list gives 10 cm. It is in the aquarium trade and is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Water figures here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. Minimum tank size of about 250 litres is our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a published figure. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ptereleotriszebra). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Feeds on zooplankton in the water column. Offer small frozen foods (mysis, brine shrimp, copepods) and fine flakes or pellets several times a day.

Breeding

Breeding in home aquaria has not been reported in the sources used here.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and reef safe. Best kept in a group with other peaceful fish. Avoid large or aggressive tankmates.

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

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