Firefish

Nemateleotris magnifica, the fire dartfish or firefish, is a small dartgoby in the family Microdesmidae (or Gobiidae), native to reefs across the Indo-Pacific. Its front half is pale white to yellow, grading to fiery orange-red toward the rear, and it carries a tall, elongated first dorsal-fin spine that it flicks nervously. The species is peaceful and rather timid, hovering just above the substrate to snatch drifting food and darting into a burrow when alarmed. It can be kept singly or as a bonded pair, but is often aggressive toward its own kind unless a true pair is established. It is well suited to peaceful reef and nano aquariums with plenty of rockwork holes for retreat. It is reef-safe and feeds readily on zooplankton, mysis, brine shrimp, and finely chopped meaty foods. A secure lid is essential, since firefish are notorious jumpers.