Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora) Care Guide

A beautiful dartfish with a white body that transitions into rich purple and red on the fins and tail. More colorful than the standard Fire Goby. Peaceful and reef-safe but a notorious jumper.

Overview

Nemateleotris decora is a species in the family Ptereleotridae. A beautiful dartfish with a white body that transitions into rich purple and red on the fins and tail. More colorful than the standard Fire Goby. Peaceful and reef-safe but a notorious jumper. Best kept singly or in established pairs.

Taxonomy

Family: Ptereleotridae
Genus: Nemateleotris
Scientific name: Nemateleotris decora
Other names: Decorated Firefish, Elegant Firefish
Origin: Indo-Pacific

Habitat

Distributed across the western and central Pacific from the Ryukyu Islands south to the Great Barrier Reef and east to the Marquesas. Hovers above rubble at the base of reef slopes at depths of 5-70 m; like its congeners, retreats into a self-excavated burrow when alarmed.

Tank requirements

Minimum tank volume: 80 L
Temperature: 24-27 °C
pH: 8.1-8.4
GH: 8-12 °dGH
Water flow: moderate
Adult size: 7-9 cm
Lifespan: 3-5 years
Difficulty: beginner

Diet

Classified as carnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.

Compatibility

Temperament: peaceful
Swimming level: middle
Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Blennies, Wrasses
Avoid with: Aggressive Fish, Other Dartfish

Reef compatibility

Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.

Breeding

Breeding difficulty: advanced