Can I keep more than one Purple Firefish together?

Unless you purchase a confirmed, bonded pair, keeping multiple Purple Firefish in the same tank usually results in the dominant fish bullying the others to death. It is best to keep them singly.

Do I really need a lid for a Purple Firefish?

Yes. A tight-fitting mesh or glass lid is non-negotiable. They possess an incredibly strong instinct to dart upwards when startled and are notorious for jumping out of open-top aquariums.

Why is my Purple Firefish hiding all the time?

It is normal for them to hide for the first few days while acclimating. However, if hiding persists, they may be intimidated by aggressive tank mates, or they might not have enough rockwork and rubble to feel secure in a burrow.

Will a Purple Firefish eat my corals or shrimp?

No, they are 100% reef-safe. Their mouths are very small and designed for plucking microscopic plankton from the water column. They will ignore your corals and ornamental shrimp.

What is the best food for a Purple Firefish?

They thrive on a meaty diet of small, floating foods. Thawed mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and calanus copepods are excellent choices. They will also often accept high-quality marine flakes and micro-pellets.

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Purple Firefish

Nemateleotris decora

An exceptionally colourful and peaceful dartfish, the Purple Firefish is a reef-safe gem that requires a tightly covered aquarium.

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Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 27 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.026 SG
Adult size: 7 – 9 cm
Minimum suitable for a single individual or established pair.: 75 litres+
Lifespan: 3 – 5 years
Diet: Carnivore - requires frequent feedings of small, meaty planktonic foods.
Water flow: Moderate
Preferred setup: A tight-fitting lid or mesh cover is absolutely essential to prevent jumping. Provide ample live rock with rubble and sandy areas for them to construct their bolt-hole burrows.

About the Purple Firefish

The Purple Firefish (*Nemateleotris decora*) is one of the most stunning and highly sought-after marine fish in the hobby. Boasting a pale, torpedo-shaped body that dramatically shifts into rich hues of purple, magenta, and deep red, it brings an unmistakable flash of colour to the lower levels of a reef aquarium. Belonging to the dartfish family, they are characterised by their elongated first dorsal fin, which they use to communicate and display. While undeniably beautiful, they are inherently skittish and rely on a 'bolt-hole' survival strategy, meaning they will disappear into the rockwork at the first sign of danger.

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Is it right for your tank?

Check Purple Firefish against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Purple Firefish comes from

Native range

Indo-West Pacific, Coral Sea

Countries / regions

Indonesia, Philippines, Fiji, Japan, New Caledonia, Mauritius

Habitat

Deep outer reef drop-offs, clear lagoons, and coastal reef slopes, specifically hovering above patches of sand and coral rubble.

They are typically found in slightly deeper water than their cousin, the Red Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica), often between 25 and 70 metres.

Similar species

Firefish Goby
Nemateleotris magnifica
Helfrichi Firefish
Nemateleotris helfrichi
Scissortail Dartfish
Ptereleotris evides
Zebra Dartfish
Ptereleotris zebra

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
Peaceful and occupies a different area of the tank, making them excellent companions for the shy firefish.
Great
Banggai Cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
A slow-moving, peaceful species that will not outcompete the firefish for food or startle it into hiding.
Great
Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
A highly compatible invertebrate that provides cleaning services and will not bother the firefish.
Great
Sixline Wrasse
Pseudocheilinus hexataenia
Can become highly territorial and aggressive in smaller tanks, easily intimidating the firefish into starvation or jumping.
Compatible with caution
Other Firefish
Nemateleotris spp.
Unless they are a confirmed, bonded pair, conspecifics and similar dartfish will fight relentlessly in the confines of an aquarium.
Not recommended
Volitan Lionfish
Pterois volitans
Large, predatory fish will easily swallow a slender firefish whole.
Not recommended

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