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Firefish Goby

By The Aquarium Calculators Editorial Team ·

Nemateleotris magnifica

Complete Firefish Goby care guide covering carnivore diet requirements, peaceful temperament, minimum 15 Gallons tank setup, and compatible saltwater tankmates. Difficulty: Easy.

Firefish Goby

Quick Answer

Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a popular nano reef fish. It requires a minimum 15 Gallons aquarium with a pH of 8.1 - 8.4 and temperature range of 24-26°C. This carnivore occupies the bottom/middle zone and makes an excellent addition to community setups.

Intro

Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris magnifica) is a popular nano reef fish. Its striking coloration and peaceful nature make it a favorite.

Setup

A 15-gallon or larger saltwater tank with a tight-fitting lid (they jump!). Live rock, sand substrate, and gentle water flow. Provide caves and overhangs.

Feeding

Carnivorous; eats small meaty foods: mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and small carnivore pellets. Feed twice daily.

Compatibility

Peaceful but can be bullied by aggressive fish. Keep singly or as a mated pair. Good with clownfish, gobies, blennies, and small wrasses.

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Tank Position
Bottom/Middle
Water Temp
24-26°C
Adult Size
See profile
Water pH
8.1 - 8.4

Species Characteristics

Adult Size
Lifespan
Growth Rate
moderate
Tank Compatibility
Community compatible
Indoor Aquarium
Yes

Water Parameters

Water Temperature
Humidity
Water pH

Tank Lighting

Tank Lighting
Standard lighting
Light Hours
N/A
Intensity
moderate

Feeding & Diet

Diet Type
Diet: Carnivore
Feeding Schedule
N/A
Live Food Options
N/A

Continue Learning

Recommended Tools

Fish Compatibility Calculator fish compatibility

Health & Disease

Ich (White Spot Disease) common disease • all fish

Related Guides

Understanding pH in Aquariums water parameters • ph

Similar Species

Banggai Cardinalfish Care Guide: Tank Size & Diet semanticSimilarity Blue Green Chromis Care Guide: Reef Tank & Diet semanticSimilarity Coral Banded Shrimp Care Guide: Water Params & Breeding semanticSimilarity

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Firefish Gobies should be kept together?
Keep one per tank, or a single confirmed male-female mated pair in a tank of at least 30 gallons (113 liters) with a footprint of 30x12 inches (75x30 cm). Firefish gobies (Nemateleotris magnifica) are highly territorial toward conspecifics; unbonded individuals fight over cave spaces, causing severe fin damage and jumping. A mated pair requires at least 2 separate burrow entrances. Provide a tight-fitting aquarium lid with no gaps over 0.2 inches (5 mm) as they are easily startled and can jump out. In community reefs, keep one specimen only.
What are the exact marine water parameters for Firefish Gobies?
Target pH 8.1 - 8.4, specific gravity 1.023 - 1.025 (35-35.5 ppt), General Hardness 7 - 12 dGH, Carbonate Hardness 8 - 12 dKH, Total Dissolved Solids 32,000 - 35,000 ppm, and temperature 72°F - 78°F (22°C - 26°C). They require stable marine parameters with low nitrates (<10 ppm). Use a protein skimmer and live rock (1.5 lbs/gallon) for hiding. Provide sand substrate (1-2 inches) as they are burrowers. Sudden salinity fluctuations >0.002 cause stress and disease. Ammonia must be 0 ppm; they are sensitive to organic waste. Moderate flow (10x turnover) is ideal.
What is the dietary and medication protocol for Firefish Gobies?
They are open-water carnivores requiring 55% protein, 15% fat, 30% algae. Feed frozen mysis shrimp, fortified brine shrimp, copepods, and high-quality marine flakes twice daily. They accept small pellets (0.5 mm). Supplement with cyclops and chopped krill. Medication alert: Tolerate copper (0.15 mg/L Cupramine) but sensitive to hyposalinity below 1.018. Praziquantel is safe for flukes. Quarantine with chloroquine phosphate (15 mg/L) for 14 days. Avoid formalin. They are susceptible to uronema marinum; treat with metronidazole (5 mg/L).
How to breed Firefish Gobies in captivity?
Breeding is rare but possible with a bonded pair in a 40+ gallon reef tank. Condition with frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp for 4 weeks. They are burrow spawners; the pair excavates a cave under live rock. Spawning occurs in the burrow; female lays 50-150 adhesive eggs. Male guards and fans eggs for 5-7 days at 75°F (24°C). Eggs hatch; larvae are pelagic and require rotifers and phytoplankton (Nannochloropsis) for 30-40 days. Metamorphosis occurs at 0.5 inches (1.2 cm). Larval rearing is extremely difficult; not recommended for hobbyists.

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