Firefish goby
Nemateleotris magnifica
Firefish goby (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a marine species with an adult-size reference of about 9 cm. It needs at least 120 litres and one individual, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Température de l’eau
22 - 26 °C
Valeur du pH
8.1 - 8.4
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Fond et milieu
Taille adulte
9 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 120 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A marine species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Nemateleotris magnifica; the verified classification records genus Nemateleotris, family Microdesmidae, subfamily Ptereleotrinae, order Gobiiformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Firefish goby can be kept alone or in a compatible pair or group. The minimum reference is one individual; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup: Firefish goby needs an aquarium of at least 120 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of one individual. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a marine species; the card's reference values are 22–26 °C, pH 8.1–8.4. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is reef-safe, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Use a secure cover and close escape gaps. Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origine et répartition géographiques
A marine species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origine
Afrique et Madagascar
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- Firefish goby has a generally peaceful temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Régime alimentaire
- Omnivore
- They are carnivorous zooplanktivores that require a meat-based diet. Formulated marine flakes, micro-pellets, and thawed frozen foods like mysis or enriched brine shrimp are perfect. Providing varied foods enhances their immune system and maintains their vivid coloration.
- Espérance de vie
- 3-5 years
- Taille adulte
- 9 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- Flexible
- Firefish goby can be kept alone or in a compatible pair or group. The reference minimum is one individual and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- Twice daily
- They require small meals fed at least once or twice daily. Because they wait for food to drift past them, feeding should be done slowly to ensure they catch enough. Any uneaten food that hits the sandbed is generally ignored by them.
- Charge biologique
- Medium
- The Firefish Goby carries a remarkably low bioload due to its small size and efficient digestion. They are perfect additions to smaller aquariums without overloading the biological filtration. Regular maintenance schedules easily handle the minimal waste they produce.
- Courant
- Moderate
- Moderate, sweeping water flow is ideal for simulating their natural habitat. They enjoy facing the current to pick passing plankton out of the water column. Excessive turbulence will force them into permanent hiding and cause undue stress.
- Risque de saut
- Yes
- This species has a legendary reputation for launching itself out of aquariums. A secure lid with absolutely no gaps is mandatory if you wish to keep them alive. They will eagerly jump through incredibly small openings if startled by lights or other fish.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- While they lay eggs inside deep burrows in the wild, breeding them in captivity is incredibly difficult. Both parents guard the clutch aggressively until hatching. The microscopic larvae are very difficult to feed, making captive propagation extremely rare.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Reef safe
- The cohabitation profile is reef-safe, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Niveau dans le bac
- Middle/Bottom
- They generally hover in the lower third of the tank, suspended a few inches above the substrate. They require a dedicated 'bolt hole' in the rockwork to which they retreat instantly when threatened. A fine sand bed and ample live rock structure are critical.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase Catalog curation 2026-05-09Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,1 ± 0,3 se
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5625
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00389, b = 3.12
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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