Firefish Purple
$79.99
Nemateleotris decora
| Care Level | Easy |
| Temperament | non-aggressive |
| Color Form | Lavender-purple body with yellow face |
| Diet | Carnivores |
| Reef Compatible | Reef- safe |
| Water Conditions | 72–79°F (22–26°C),  1.020–1.025 sg, pH: 8.1–8.4 |
| Max Size | 3.5″ |
| Family | Ptereleotridae |
| Minimum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
3-Day Guarantee
Approximate Purchase Size: Small to medium
Firefish Purple
Also known as the Purple Dartfish or Purple Fire Goby.Â
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:
- Â Provide rockwork with caves, small burrows, or overhangs
- Â Use sand or mixed substrate for natural retreat behavior
- Â 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.
| Service Level |
Quarantined |
|---|
2 reviews for Firefish Purple
You must be logged in to post a review.
Related products
Cindy Griffing –
I am so appreciative! This is an absolutely gorgeous fish and far exceeded my expectations!!! The fish arrived well-packaged, quickly, and healthy! After acclimating, the fish was transferred to my display tank, settled quickly, and is now a beautiful addition to my aquarium! I won’t hesitate to order from this company in the future. Thank you so much!
andreasduerr –
I ordered two purple firefish and both arrived healthy and have been thriving in my tank for about a month or so now. I will NEVER order a fish from anywhere else. Dr Reefs has the best service and their livestock is worry-free. It is well worth every penny for every order I have made.