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Purple Firefish
Nemateleotris decora
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Gobiidae
📍 Indo-Pacific — Maldives to Samoa
One of the most visually striking nano reef fish — white to yellow body fading into vivid purple-magenta. Peaceful and reef-safe; will jump, so a tight lid is essential.
Care Guide
Diet
Purple Firefish are carnivorous and require a diet of small live or frozen foods. Feed small portions of copepods, mysis shrimp, and quality micro pellets once daily. They may be reluctant to accept flake food and prefer foods that mimic their natural zooplankton diet.
Behavior
These fish are peaceful, bottom-dwelling inhabitants that spend much of their time hovering near rockwork and burrows. They are somewhat shy and skittish, darting quickly when startled. They are best kept in pairs or small groups and will establish territories around preferred hiding spots.
Breeding
Breeding Purple Firefish in captivity is difficult and rarely achieved in home aquariums. They require very specific conditions including stable water parameters, appropriate burrow sites, and minimal disturbance. Successful breeding typically only occurs in well-established, undisturbed reef systems.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful temperament and reef-safe; compatible water parameters
Both bottom-dwellers; pistol shrimp may form symbiotic relationships with firefish
Peaceful goby with similar size and habitat preferences
Reef-safe invertebrate; minimal aggression toward small fish
Peaceful nocturnal fish with non-overlapping activity patterns
Common Diseases
Ich (White Spot Disease)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces
Raise temperature gradually to 28-29°C, maintain excellent water quality, consider copper-based treatments in quarantine (avoid in reef tanks)
Fin Rot
Frayed or deteriorating fin edges, discoloration at fin margins
Improve water quality, perform regular water changes, treat with antibacterial medication if severe
Lateral Line Erosion
Pitting or erosion along the lateral line, loss of sensory pores
Ensure optimal water quality with stable parameters, provide varied high-quality diet rich in vitamins
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, lethargy, loss of appetite, visible parasites
Quarantine affected fish, treat with appropriate antiparasitic medication, maintain pristine water conditions
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- carnivore — copepods, mysis
- maxSize
- 3 inches
- minTankSize
- 10 gallons
- temperature
- 75–82°F (24–28°C)
Temperature
75–82°F
24–28°C