{"product_id":"helfrichi-goby","title":"Helfrichi Goby | Nemateleotris helfrichi","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Helfrichi Goby, or Helfrich's Firefish, is the rarest and arguably most beautiful of the firefishes, washed in soft lavender and yellow with a lilac face. It is a peaceful, elegant fish that hovers just above the rockwork, perfect for a calm reef or nano system. It stays tiny at around 7–9 cm and makes a jewel-like centrepiece for a well-settled tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is found in the deeper waters of the Pacific, typically on the lower reef slope over rubble and sand, where it hovers in the current picking zooplankton. It shelters in holes and among coral rubble, retreating instantly when startled. In the aquarium it needs plenty of loose rubble and rockwork with small crevices to bolt into, along with calm, mature water and a supply of tiny drifting foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is slender and torpedo-shaped, coloured a delicate pale lavender that deepens to purple around the head, with a yellow wash over the snout and a tall first dorsal fin it flicks when alert. It is a subtle, refined beauty rather than a bold one. Healthy specimens hover confidently, hold good body weight and have clear eyes and intact fins.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Helfrichi Goby is peaceful and somewhat shy, best suited to a calm community. It rarely troubles other fish but is territorial toward its own kind unless kept as a bonded pair, so keep one specimen or a confirmed pair per tank. It is completely reef safe and will not bother corals or invertebrates. Boisterous or aggressive tank mates will stress it and keep it hiding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a micro-carnivore that feeds on zooplankton in the water column. Offer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and other small meaty foods, along with fine marine pellets once accepted. Feed small amounts two to three times daily. In a mature tank with live copepods it settles and feeds far more readily.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of 75 L, though this small fish can be kept in a well-maintained nano reef with suitable tank mates. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. A tight-fitting lid is absolutely essential, as firefish are notorious jumpers and are easily lost. Provide plenty of rubble and rock crevices, gentle to moderate flow and stable water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Helfrichi Goby is not routinely bred in home aquariums. It pairs and is believed to spawn in burrows or crevices, with pelagic larvae that require specialised planktonic culture beyond typical hobby conditions. For most keepers the aim is a healthy, settled fish or bonded pair.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNemateleotris helfrichi\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHelfrichi Goby (Helfrich's Firefish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeeper Pacific reef slopes over rubble and sand\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–9 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 (territorial to own kind)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\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 fine 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\u003ePeaceful reef and nano reef aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\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 small gobies, other firefish, cardinalfish, assessors, fairy wrasses, dwarf angels, clownfish and other peaceful reef fish, along with corals and ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or territorial fish, larger predators, and other firefish unless they are a bonded pair.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234132246819,"sku":"AA2647","price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234132279587,"sku":null,"price":495.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Helfrichi_Goby_Nemateleotris_helfrichi_e7ce3fc1-77f8-4d20-b343-910d17546b1a.jpg?v=1781681377","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/helfrichi-goby","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}