Firefish Goby

Firefish Goby

Nemateleotris magnifica

Also known as: Firefish, Fire Goby, Fire Dartfish, Magnificent Dartfish

🧂 Saltwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟢 Easy 🥩 Carnivore Reef Safe

A stunning dartfish with a white-to-yellow front body that transitions to vivid red-orange at the tail, topped by an elongated dorsal fin spine. Hovers gracefully in the water column facing into the current.

Tank Size

20 gal
minimum (30+ preferred)

Temperature

74–82°F
23–28°C

pH Range

8.1–8.4
water acidity

Max Size

3"
7.6 cm

Lifespan

3–5 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

Middle
preferred zone

Care Notes

Peaceful and easy to keep. Must have a tight-fitting lid — firefish are skilled jumpers, especially when startled. Provide a burrow or cave for retreating. Avoid housing with aggressive tankmates.

Feeding

Frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and finely chopped marine foods. Feed 2–3 times daily.

Compatible Tank Mates

Blue Green Chromis 3" Pink Skunk Clownfish 3.5" Skunk Clownfish 4" Orange Skunk Clownfish 4.5" Talbot's Damselfish 2.5" Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse 3" Melanurus Wrasse 5" Cleaner Wrasse 4" Yellow Coris Wrasse 5" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Yellow Watchman Goby 4" Diamond Goby 6"

Use Caution With

Ocellaris Clownfish 3" True Percula Clownfish 3" Yellowtail Damselfish 2.5" Blue Tang 12" Yellow Tang 8" Kole Tang 7" Clarkii Clownfish 5" Tomato Clownfish 5" Scopas Tang 8" Convict Tang 8" Azure Damselfish 2.5" Springer's Damselfish 2"

Incompatible With

Maroon Clownfish 6" Blue Devil Damselfish 3" Powder Blue Tang 9" Naso Tang 18" Achilles Tang 10" Purple Tang 10" Three Stripe Damselfish 3" Domino Damselfish 5" Four Stripe Damselfish 3" Jewel Damselfish 6" Blonde Naso Tang 16" Desjardin's Sailfin Tang 16"

Check Compatibility

Want to check if Firefish Goby is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.