{"product_id":"firefish","title":"Firefish | Nemateleotris magnifica","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Firefish, sometimes called the Fire Goby or Magnificent Firefish, is a small, elegant dartfish with a pale body that flushes into a fiery orange-red rear, topped by a tall, flickering first dorsal fin. Reaching only around 8 cm, it is peaceful, hardy and full of character, making it one of the most popular nano and community reef fish available. A tight-fitting lid is important, as it will bolt and jump when startled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is found across the Indo-Pacific, hovering just above the substrate on the edges of reefs and rubble slopes, facing into the current to pick plankton from the water. It shelters in burrows and holes in the rock or sand and darts inside at the first sign of danger. In the aquarium it wants a mature system with live rock, a sandy bed and plenty of small crevices to use as bolt-holes, along with gentle to moderate flow.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe front of the body is pearly white to pale yellow, transitioning to a vivid orange and red toward the tail, and the elongated first dorsal fin flicks up and down almost constantly as a signalling and display feature. It is a slender, streamlined fish that hovers rather than cruises. A healthy specimen holds its fins erect, hovers confidently in the water and feeds readily, while a fish that hides constantly may simply need more cover and calmer tank mates to settle.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful and slightly shy. Firefish coexist happily with other calm community fish and are completely reef safe, posing no threat to corals or invertebrates. They can be territorial toward their own kind in smaller tanks, so keep singly unless the aquarium is large enough to house a bonded pair or group with individual bolt-holes. Avoid boisterous or aggressive tank mates that will intimidate them and keep them hiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a micro-carnivore that feeds on zooplankton in the wild. Offer frequent small feedings of frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and finely chopped seafood, plus a small quality marine pellet or flake. Several small feeds a day suit its natural plankton-picking style and keep it in good condition. A mature reef with live rock and natural pods provides useful supplementary food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of around 75 L, with 100 L or larger recommended for long-term comfort, especially in a busy community. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Gentle to moderate flow, good filtration and stable water quality suit it well. Plenty of rockwork with small holes gives it the security it needs. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as Firefish are prone to jumping when alarmed. This is a hardy fish, suitable for beginners to intermediate keepers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is uncommon but has occurred in aquariums. Firefish can form pairs and may spawn in burrows, but the tiny pelagic larvae are very difficult to rear without specialised planktonic foods and dedicated facilities. For most keepers the reward is a settled, confident pair or individual displaying naturally rather than raising fry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNemateleotris magnifica\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFirefish (Fire Goby, Magnificent Firefish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs and rubble slopes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful and shy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMicro-carnivore; frozen mysis, brine, copepods and small pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNano, community and reef aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include other peaceful fish such as clownfish, small gobies, cardinalfish, flasher and fairy wrasses, dwarf angels and most reef-safe community species, along with corals and invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or boisterous fish that will intimidate it, larger predators that may eat it, and multiple Firefish together in smaller tanks.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234129527075,"sku":"AA1346","price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234129559843,"sku":null,"price":75.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Firegoby_Nemateleotris_magnifica_dd7c444a-376a-4e22-995b-a4e3ce6b2362.jpg?v=1781681310","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/firefish","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}