Alternative species (click on the thumbnail to see the card)
Names
Scientific name
Nemateleotris magnifica
Nemateleotris magnificus
Common name
Fire goby
Fire dartfish
Red Fire Goby
Magnificent dartfish
Orange firefish
Fish to arcere
Pracht-Feuer-Schwertgrundel (DE)
Origin
Origin: Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
Natural habitat: coral-rich and sandy areas, up to 35 m (115 feet) deep
Dimorphism
None
Group
Ptereleotridae
Volume
200 then 1 for 100 L / 44 then 1 for 22 Im Gal / 53 then 1 for 26 US Gal
Parameters
T°: 23 to 27°C or 73 to 81°F
pH: 8.2 to 8.4
Density: 1021 to 1026
Difficulty
Average
Size
6 to 9cm (2.4 to 3.5")
Longevity
6 to 10 years
Living zone
Depth
Individuals
1 or couple
Food
How to feed the Fire goby?
Food
How to feed the Fire goby?
This species is carnivorous. It appreciates small crustaceans (copepods), zooplankton and crustacean larvae. Also on the menu: mysis, artemia, red daphnia (which enhances coloring), chopped pieces of mussels, shrimp, fish...
Initially, feed your fish with live prey. After some time, the Goby should easily accept frozen prey and even dry food. However, its preference will always go towards live food!
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Fire goby have?
Behavior
What kind of behavior does the Fire goby have?
The Fire Goby is a very peaceful and sociable fish, and even a little shy. It is also a very shy fish, which can sometimes make its maintenance delicate, as it is so prone to stress, fright and panic (sometimes even jumping out of the tank!).
He likes to dig their shelter directly in the sand, and often positions himself near this shelter facing the current (this allows him to feed on zooplankton).
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Fire goby?
Cohabitation
Who can live with the Fire goby?
You can start to maintain this species with a volume of 200 L / 44 Imp Gal / 53 US Gal for your first individual. If you wish to have more than one, count at least 100 L / 22 Imp Gal / 26 US Gal additional per added fish, but this is not very advisable. Indeed, the young live perfectly well together but as they get older, they become quite aggressive towards each other: the dominant will chase and kill all its congeners. At best, you will be left with a couple. We therefore advise you not to take any risk and to maintain only one individual or one couple per aquarium (be careful there too because sexual dimorphism is non-existent: a couple only finds its bearings because it isolates itself from a group. It is therefore difficult to acquire with certainty a male and a female). Thus, you will reproduce their living conditions in their natural environment: either alone or in couple.
Because of its reserved nature, avoid associating it with large or too lively fish. In this case, it would be completely stressed and would systematically stop feeding. Also avoid fish with the same lifestyle such as Gobies or Blennies.
It will not touch your corals, so it is welcome in a reef aquarium!
Breeding
How to breed the Fire goby?
Breeding
How to breed the Fire goby?
No captive breeding protocol known to date.
In the wild, these fish reproduce in pairs (monogamous). The eggs are laid in the burrow and are guarded by at least one of the two parents (most often the male). The juveniles have the same coat as the adults, but live in groups.
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Fire goby?
Its aquarium
Which aquarium for the Fire goby?
A reef aquarium is ideal for this species: a thick layer of sand (essential because it digs its shelter there), rock and corals will be part of the decor.
As for the current, it must be moderate so as not to exhaust your fish.
Make sure that your aquarium is well covered everywhere to avoid fatal jumps (don't forget their name of dartfish!).
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Good To know
Find all additional information!
Robust and easy to acclimatize, this fish is one of the good choices for an aquarist new to marine species. However, this does not exempt from a good maintenance of the aquarium because the species is quite sensitive to nitrates and nitrites. Also note that it is not recommended to have them go through the preventive freshwater bath.
Nemateleotris magnifica has the longest dorsal fin among the species of its genus.
Despite its nickname "Fire Goby", this fish is not a Goby!
Yours photos!
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