Nemateleotris helfrichi

Quick Stats

Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Color Form: Purple, Yellow Diet: Carnivore Reef Compatible: Yes Water Conditions: 72-78 F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025 Max. Size: 2″ Origin: Marshall Islands Family: Gobiidae Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons

Overview

The Helfrichi’s Firefish is also known as the Helfrich’s Dartfish, or Helfrich’s Firefish. The head is distinctly yellow with a purple forehead, and the body is varying shades of purple and white.

It requires a 20 gallon or larger aquarium with plenty of loose coral rubble as part of the aquascape, and a tight-fitting lid to prevent it from jumping out of the tank. It will rarely become aggressive towards other fish, but is territorial, and will fight with its own kind unless they are a bonded pair.

The Helfrichi’s Firefish will feed mostly on prey suspended in the water column, but will pick food off the substrate. Its diet should vary between chopped or shaved seafood, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and mysis shrimp.

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″; Medium: 1-1/4″ to 2″; Large: 2″ to 2-1/2″