Elegant firefish

The elegant firefish, also called the purple firefish, is a small dartfish of the family Gobiidae (subfamily Ptereleotrinae), widespread across the tropical Indo-Pacific. It has a pale body grading into a striking purple head and yellow face, with elongated dorsal-fin rays it flicks continuously. It is a peaceful, somewhat timid fish that hovers just above the substrate near its burrow, darting for cover when alarmed. It can be kept singly or as a bonded pair, but multiple individuals may quarrel unless the tank is large. A peaceful reef tank with a fine sand bed, rockwork retreats, and a tight-fitting lid is essential, as it jumps readily. It feeds on zooplankton and accepts frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and small prepared foods. Captive breeding is rare.