Why is my Firefish hiding all the time?

It takes time for them to acclimate to a new environment. Ensure there are no aggressive tankmates stressing them out, and that the tank has plenty of live rock for them to feel secure.

Can I keep multiple Firefish together?

Generally, no, unless they are a confirmed bonded pair. Unbonded adults are highly territorial towards their own kind and will often fight to the death in enclosed aquaria.

Does a Firefish need a lid on the tank?

Yes, a tightly fitted lid or mesh cover is mandatory. Firefish are easily spooked and will almost certainly jump out of open aquariums.

What is the best food for a Firefish?

They thrive on small meaty foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, and brine shrimp. They prefer to eat from the water column, so feed slowly to ensure they catch the food before it hits the bottom.

Are Firefish reef-safe?

Absolutely. They are completely reef-safe and will not bother corals, clams, or ornamental invertebrates like cleaner shrimp.

MarineMarineBeginner

Firefish

Nemateleotris magnifica

The Firefish is a striking, peaceful marine dartfish renowned for its bright colour gradient and distinctively elongated dorsal fin.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 7 – 9 cm
Minimum recommended volume for a single specimen.: 75 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Carnivore (zooplankton)
Water flow: moderate
Preferred setup: Requires plenty of live rock with deep crevices for bolt holes, moderate water movement, and a tightly fitted lid.

About the Firefish

One of the most popular marine fish in the hobby, Nemateleotris magnifica brings brilliant splashes of white, red, and orange to reef aquaria. Recognisable by their characteristic flicking dorsal fin, these elegant fish hover in the water column waiting for plankton to drift past. They are notoriously skittish and will vanish into a rock crevice in the blink of an eye when startled, making them both fascinating and delicate additions to a peaceful community.

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Is it right for your tank?

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Where Firefish comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Philippines, Maldives, Australia, Japan

Habitat

Coral reefs, clear lagoons, and outer reef slopes over patches of sand and rubble, maintaining close proximity to a secure burrow.

Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, typically found at depths of 6 to 70 metres.

Similar species

Purple Firefish
Nemateleotris decora
Helfrich's Firefish
Nemateleotris helfrichi
Scissortail Dartfish
Ptereleotris evides

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

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Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
A peaceful community fish that occupies a different niche and will not harass the timid Firefish.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Firefish are completely reef-safe and pose absolutely no threat to ornamental shrimp.
Great
Tailspot Blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura
A peaceful herbivore that dwells near the rockwork, avoiding competition with the mid-water hovering Firefish.
Great
Royal Gramma
Gramma loreto
Generally fine, but in very small nano tanks they may compete for the same rocky crevices, potentially stressing the Firefish.
Compatible with caution
Sixline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Often far too boisterous and aggressive for the delicate Firefish, leading to stress, starvation, or jumping.
Not recommended

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