Nemateleotris magnifica

Fire goby
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Perciformes
Family:	Ptereleotridae
Genus:	Nemateleotris
Species:	N. magnifica
Binomial name
Nemateleotris magnifica Fowler, 1938

The Fire Goby, Fire Fish, Fire Dartfish, or Red Fire Goby is a marine dartfish.

This fish is most commonly found near the substrate of the upper reef in tropical marine waters. These waters include the Indo-Pacific, Central Pacific, east African waters, Ryukyu Islands, Japan, New Caledonia, and Pitcairn Islands.^[1] They swim as deep below the surface as 70 meters, and usually hover directly above the ocean floor, facing the current to catch their prey.^[1] They eat mostly copepods, zooplankton, and crustacean larvae.

They usually have a bright yellow head, merging into a white body, gradually shading into a red-orange tail. Their dorsal fins are very long, and the fish flicks it back and forth.^[1] This is used as a signal to conspecifics.^[2][3] As a full grown adult, it reaches a maximum length of 9 centimeters (3 in).^[1] Adults occupy sandy burrows alone or in pairs, while the juveniles live in small groups. These fish are monogamous.^[1] They will retreat to burrows if threatened.^[2]

These fish are often kept in the aquarium. This fish is extremely easily frightened, so ample hiding places, a lack of other boisterous species, and a well-fitting hood to prevent this fish's escape are recommended.^[2][3] The fish should be kept alone or in pairs to reduce fighting.^[2] This fish may need live food when first introduced, but can be adapted to frozen foods.^[2]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Froese, Rainer, and Daniel Pauly, eds. (2007). "Nemateleotris magnifica" in FishBase. Apr 2007 version.
2. ^ ^{a b c d e} Sanford, Gina (1999). Aquarium Owner's Guide. New York: DK Publishing. pp. 141. ISBN 0-7894-4614-6. 
3. ^ ^{a b} Dakin, Nick (1992). The Macmillan book of the Marine Aquarium. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company. ISBN 0-02-897108-6.