seabass Posted July 22, 2021 Share Posted July 22, 2021 (edited) Dartfish (Firefish, Tilefish) Dartfish (including Firefish and Tilefish) are called Dartfish because of their darting swimming motions. Firefish are easily bullied, but make an excellent addition to a peaceful fish community, while Tilefish (of two subfamilies: Latilinae, sometimes called the Branchiosteginae, and Malacanthinae) are known for having a short lifespan in captivity. They require a sandy substrate, plenty of live rock for shelter, and a well fitted top (as they are known jumpers). Dartfish feed on prey suspended in the water column, but will also pick food off of the substrate. Its varied diet should include finely chopped or shaved seafood (including krill, shrimp, squid, clams, and mussels), as well as frozen food preparations for carnivores and mysis shrimp. It's a good idea to occasionally supplement with some type of herbivore preparation. Firefish, Helfrichi (Nemateleotris helfrichi) Max Size: 2.5" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Marshall Islands Family: Gobiidae Exquisite Firefish (Nemateleotris exquisita) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Maldives Family: Gobiidae Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Africa, Coral Sea, Maldives, Philippines Family: Gobiidae Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora) Max Size: 3.5" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indonesia Family: Gobiidae Blue Gudgeon Dartfish (Ptereleotris heteroptera) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Fiji, Indonesia Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Green Silk Gudgeon Dartfish (Ptereleotris microlepis) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Maldives Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides) Max Size: 5.5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Africa, Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives, Vanuatu Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Zebra Barred Dartfish/Tilefish (Ptereleotris zebra) Max Size: 5.5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Photos by Edited July 23, 2021 by seabass Quote Link to comment
Snow_Phoenix Posted July 23, 2021 Share Posted July 23, 2021 10 hours ago, seabass said: Dartfish (Firefish, Tilefish) Dartfish (including Firefish and Tilefish) are called Dartfish because of their darting swimming motions. Firefish are easily bullied, but make an excellent addition to a peaceful fish community, while Tilefish (of two subfamilies: Latilinae, sometimes called the Branchiosteginae, and Malacanthinae) are known for having a short lifespan in captivity. They require a sandy substrate, plenty of live rock for shelter, and a well fitted top (as they are known jumpers). Dartfish feed on prey suspended in the water column, but will also pick food off of the substrate. Its varied diet should include finely chopped or shaved seafood (including krill, shrimp, squid, clams, and mussels), as well as frozen food preparations for carnivores and mysis shrimp. It's a good idea to occasionally supplement with some type of herbivore preparation. Firefish, Helfrichi (Nemateleotris helfrichi) Max Size: 2.5" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Marshall Islands Family: Gobiidae Exquisite Firefish (Nemateleotris exquisita) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Maldives Family: Gobiidae Firefish (Nemateleotris magnifica) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Africa, Coral Sea, Maldives, Philippines Family: Gobiidae Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora) Max Size: 3.5" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indonesia Family: Gobiidae Zebra Barred Dartfish/Tilefish (Ptereleotris zebra) Max Size: 4" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Blue Gudgeon Dartfish (Ptereleotris heteroptera) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Fiji, Indonesia Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Green Silk Gudgeon Dartfish (Ptereleotris microlepis) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Maldives Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides) Max Size: 5.5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Africa, Fiji, Indonesia, Maldives, Vanuatu Family: Microdesmidae Species Notes: A three inch mixed grain sand bed with loose coral rubble is recommended for burrowing. Also, a small group may do better than a single individual, but must be introduced all at the same time. Should be fed three times a day. Photos by Zebra barred dartfish can hit 6" in captivity. I have one and he's around ~6". 😊 1 Quote Link to comment
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