Zebra dartfish

The zebra dartfish is a small marine goby-like fish in the family Microdesmidae (dartfishes), found on reef flats and lagoons of the Indo-Pacific. It has a slender, pale greenish to pinkish body crossed by numerous fine reddish-orange vertical bars, and it hovers just above the substrate near its burrow. It is a peaceful, somewhat social species often seen in small groups over rubble and sand, darting into a burrow at the first sign of danger. It is well suited to a peaceful reef aquarium with a sandy bottom, rubble for burrowing, and calm tankmates. It can be kept in small groups if introduced together. A tight-fitting lid is essential, as dartfishes are prone to jumping. It feeds on zooplankton and accepts small meaty foods such as mysis and enriched brine shrimp. It is reef-safe and suitable for intermediate keepers.