Firefish Purple

Also known as the Purple Dartfish or Purple Fire Goby. 

The Firefish Purple is a vibrant and elegant reef fish known for its glowing purple body, yellow face, and graceful hovering behavior. Peaceful and hardy, it is a popular choice for nano and mid-sized reef aquariums. With the right hiding spots and stable water conditions, this species becomes a stunning, active display fish for reef keepers at any experience level.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Nemateleotris decora
• Common Names: Purple Firefish, Decorated Firefish, Purple Dartfish
• Adult Size: 3–3.5 inches
• Lifespan: Several years in stable aquarium environments
• Temperament: Peaceful, shy, hover-swimming
• Reef Compatibility: Fully reef-safe
• Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
• Experience Level: Beginner-friendly

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: Firefish Purple are found throughout deeper Indo-Pacific reefs, typically hovering above sandy or rubble zones with retreat holes. They prefer calm reef slopes with moderate flow and reliable hiding places.

Tank Environment:

•  Provide rockwork with caves, small burrows, or overhangs
•  Use sand or mixed substrate for natural retreat behavior
•  Moderate flow with quiet areas for comfortable hovering

Recommended Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 72–79°F (22–26°C)
• Salinity: 1.020–1.025 sg
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Nitrate: Low to moderate

Diet & Feeding

Firefish Purple are carnivores that feed on zooplankton in their natural habitat. In aquariums they accept a variety of small, nutrient-rich foods.

Recommended Foods:

• Mysis shrimp
• Brine shrimp
• Copepods and zooplankton
• Finely chopped marine meats
• High-quality micro-pellets

Feeding Schedule: Feed 1–2 times daily in small portions. Ensure food floats gently in the mid-water zone where they naturally feed.

Behavior & Compatibility

Temperament: Gentle, shy, and easily startled. They hover gracefully in open water but retreat quickly to a cave when threatened. They thrive best in calm, peaceful communities.

Tank Mates:

• Compatible with peaceful species such as gobies, dartfish, clownfish, cardinalfish, small wrasses, and blennies
• Avoid aggressive or fast-moving fish that may chase or stress them
• Completely safe with corals and invertebrates

Breeding Potential

Like other firefish species, Purple Firefish may form bonded pairs and lay eggs within caves or tunnels. While breeding is possible, successful rearing of the larvae is extremely rare without advanced equipment and specialized feeding.

Why Choose Us

At Dr Reefs, each Firefish Purple is fully quarantined for several weeks and carefully monitored for parasites, behavior, and feeding response. They are trained to accept a range of prepared foods and conditioned to aquarium life, ensuring a healthy, stable fish that integrates smoothly into your reef system.