Firefish

Looks how to spot one

Slender dartfish with a tall first dorsal fin

A slim little fish with a yellow head that fades into a white body and then a red-orange rear and tail. Its first dorsal fin is very tall and thin, and the fins have black edging.23

Personality what they are like

Calm and peaceful with a sweet personality. It hovers near its chosen hole and darts inside when startled.321

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Hovers just above the bottom facing the current, picking off drifting food.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Give plenty of rocky hiding holes and a tight-fitting lid, as it can leap from an open tank. Moderate light and water flow suit it.32

Home where they are happiest

Minimum about 20 US gallons (76 L), reef safe. Saltwater at about 22 to 26 °C, pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. In the wild it lives on upper outer reef slopes, usually 6 to 28 m deep.31

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Carnivore that eats zooplankton in the wild. Offer brine shrimp, mysis shrimp and small prepared marine foods, ideally twice a day.123

Company who they like around

Lives singly or in mated pairs; young fish may share a hole in small groups. Pairs form for life.12

The story where it all began

Henry Weed Fowler described the species in 1938. It belongs to the dartfish genus Nemateleotris and has become a well-known reef aquarium fish.24

Recognised by the official bits

IUCN Red List

Least Concern (assessed 2023)1