Fire Dartfish

About

The fire dartfish (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a saltwater species, the "freshwater" label in its record is an error, native to the Indo-Pacific, ranging from the reefs of East Africa all the way out to Hawaii and the Pitcairn Islands, and north through Micronesia and the Ryukyu Islands. In the wild it occupies the upper slopes of outer reefs, hovering just above the substrate and facing into the current to pick off zooplankton, copepods, and drifting crustacean larvae as they pass by. The coloration shifts from creamy white at the head through orange-yellow into a deep red-magenta at the tail, making it one of the more visually distinctive fish on the reef. That tall, pennant-like first dorsal fin is constantly in motion. A rapid, rhythmic flicking that appears to function as communication between individuals. Fire dartfish are monogamous in the wild and may share a burrow with a mate or, particularly when young, with several other individuals. In the aquarium they stay close to rockwork and bolt for cover when startled, so a well-established reef or fish-only setup with plenty of bolt holes suits them well. They are peaceful toward other species but can be skittish, and a tight-fitting lid is genuinely important since they are instinctive jumpers.