Purple Firefish

The Purple Firefish, *Nemateleotris decora*, is a captivating and elegant goby that adds a touch of vibrant color and graceful movement to the marine aquarium. Its elongated body is primarily a striking purple, transitioning to a bright yellow or orange towards the head. The dorsal and anal fins are often edged in black, further enhancing its visual appeal.

A minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended for a single Purple Firefish, with larger tanks preferred for housing multiple individuals or a pair. They appreciate a sandy substrate and plenty of live rockwork with crevices and caves to dart into when startled. While generally peaceful, they can be territorial towards conspecifics or similar-shaped fish in smaller tanks. They are considered reef-safe and will not harm corals or invertebrates.

In the aquarium, the Purple Firefish typically reaches a size of about 2.5 to 3 inches. They are planktivores in the wild, feeding on zooplankton drifting in the water column. In captivity, their diet should consist of a variety of small, meaty foods such as enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped marine fish or shrimp. Offering a varied diet several times a day will help maintain their health and vibrant coloration. They are known to be jumpers, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.

Quick Facts

• Scientific Name: Nemateleotris decora
• Care Level: Beginner
• Temperament: Peaceful
• Diet: Carnivore
• Reef Compatibility: Reef Safe
• Region of Origin: Indo-Pacific
• Maximum Adult Size: 3"
• Recommended Tank Size: 10 gallons