Firefish Goby Care Guide: Diet | Size | Lifespan | Cost

With the scientific name Nemateleotris Magnifica, Firefish Goby comes as one of the most eye-catching and fascinating saltwater fish.

These species have a graceful body and an unforgettable dorsal fin. Even though they are adorned with three colors at max, red with an orange tint, white, and yellow, the distribution of these colors in its body makes it dazzling.

Not just an oddly beautiful dorsal fin, it has an oddly satisfying behavior as well, it darts through the water column with incredible speed. This behavior of the firefish can be triggered by any kind of danger, they rip into a hiding spot if they are threatened. In addition to it, they are also prone to jumping out of the water.  

These fishes don’t bother anyone and are not aggressive. But upon feeling danger, they hide quickly, they can even hide in spots for a week or so once you add it to your aquarium. But there is nothing to worry about, Firefish Goby is hardy fish and can adapt to an aquarium without any worries, although it might take some time. 

General Characteristics of Firefish Goby

Firefish Goby Diet  

In terms of diet, Firefish Gobies are dynamic and versatile, meaning they are omnivores. As they are omnivores, you are required to feed them a mixture of both types of food, plant-based, and meat-based.

At the same time as algae and zooplankton, you must feed them brine shrimp and Mysis shrimp. You must also give them flake foods, and seafood with the foods mentioned. Giving them food two times a day is enough.  

You must also take into consideration that they are timid fishes while feeding. If you have paired them with other fishes, they won’t try to eat the food you give them if the other fishes are around. Make sure that you spot them in your aquarium and drop the food nearby them. It is common problem that Firefish Gobies die due to low nutrition. So make sure you feed them properly.  

Firefish Goby Size and Lifespan  

A Firefish Goby upon becoming an adult can reach a size up to 3.5 inches, i.e 9 centimeters. If you take good care of a Firefish Goby, it can live for about 4 years.

Many things ride on the lifespan of a Firefish Goby, you must feed it correctly, keep it with the proper tankmates, and most importantly, an aquarium lid, as they are prone to jumping out.

If you keep in mind and take care of all these things, they won’t have a problem living their life to the fullest.  

Taking care of Firefish Goby  

Firefish Goby might be a hardy fish and they can adjust properly to your aquarium, but it doesn’t mean that they don’t require care. There are many aspects that you will have to keep in uniformity for them to live healthily.  

Temperature and Water parameters  

When it comes to temperature, Firefish Gobies prefer a range of 72℉ to 78℉. Keep them in this range of temperature and they won’t feel any trouble. You must have the pH of the water around 8.1 to 8.4, a dGh of 8 to 12, and the salinity levels must be 1.020 to 1.025. Maintain these levels of temperature and water parameters and there won’t be any troubles.  

Tank Size  

Firefish Goby might be a small-sized fish, but it requires a bigger tank than you might be thinking. It requires some space for swimming, and as they often do their darts around, a bigger tank is a call for. For them to dart around without any hindrances, they need a bigger tank. A tank size of 20 gallons is a go-to for a Firefish Goby. 

Tank mates  

Firefish Goby are known for their peaceful nature. They don’t bother other fishes and don’t like to be bothered. They don’t do well with aggressive fishes. If a Firefish Goby is shown aggression by other fishes, they will dart away to hiding places.

It is detrimental to their health to pair them up with aggressive fishes. It can show aggression towards their kind. They do very well with other peaceful fishes. The best species of fish that you can keep one with are clownfish and shrimp gobies.

You are recommended not to keep two Firefish Gobies on one tank as they can show aggression towards one another. But if it’s a mated pair, then they can coexist peacefully. 

Tank Setup  

If you have a Firefish Goby or planning to get one the first thing you must have is a bigger tank, hiding places within the tank, and sand as a substrate. Hiding places are for if they are startled by anything or feel that they are in danger they tend to dart towards hiding places. At the initial stages of their life in a new tank, they will hide for a few days.

A sandy substrate is because when they dart, sometimes they tend to dart towards the substrate. So a sandy one is required so that they don’t hurt themselves. In addition to darting, they are known for jumping out of the tank as well.

So, an aquarium lid is necessary and it must be a tight-fitting one. There have been a lot of cases where an aquarist has lost Firefish Gobies because they leaped out of the tank.  

It will also be helpful to them to use low levels of light. As a Firefish Goby can get stressed by getting startled, so it is not a good idea to use a bright light.

Caves and hiding spots can also be fruitful in avoiding them getting frightened. Reefs are also a good choice in keeping a Firefish Goby they are reef safe. There must also be adequate water flow. 

Cost of Firefish Goby  

A Firefish Goby comes within the category of cheaper saltwater fishes. It is a good thing as saltwater fish prices tend to be very high. They cost around $10 to $15. You can get it in any aquarium store or you can buy it online as well. At such a low price, your tank will have the addition of a gorgeous peaceful fish. 

Keeping a Firefish Goby is easier than other saltwater fishes. It is hardy, not at first, but will eventually adjust itself perfectly to your aquarium. They are not expensive as well. All you need to do is, maintain the water temperature, and water parameters, have hiding spots, and a lid and you’re good to go. The most important thing is to keep in mind their nutrition. Make sure that they are getting an adequate amount of nutrition and that they are getting to eat the food. As they are timid you might have to drop food close to them. 

Breeding

This is a monogamous fish. Unless the tank is really big, or in mated pairs, this species should be kept alone.

While little is known about the mating behavior of this species, most assume it follows the same pattern as other goby species, laying eggs on a substrate.