Fire goby
A colourful reef dartfish with a yellow head and red tail.
The fire goby is a small marine fish found on coral reefs across the Indian and Pacific oceans. It features a bright yellow head and long dorsal fins, living in sandy burrows. Popular in aquariums for its peaceful nature and striking appearance, it feeds on small invertebrates.
- Grows to a maximum length of 9 centimetres
- Features a bright yellow head and red-orange tail
- Lives in sandy burrows on coral reefs
- Forms monogamous pairs as adults
- Popular and peaceful aquarium fish
What it is
This species is a small dartfish known for its vivid colouration. The head is bright yellow, blending into a white midsection that fades to a red-orange tail. Adults grow up to nine centimetres long. A distinctive feature is the very long dorsal fin, which the fish flicks back and forth to signal others of its kind. It belongs to the group of fish commonly called dartfishes.
Where it lives
The fire goby lives in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Its range extends west to the coast of East Africa and east to the Hawaiian Islands. In the Pacific, it is found as far north as the Ryukyu Islands in Japan and as far south as the Austral Islands in French Polynesia. It inhabits coral reef environments at depths between six and seventy metres.
How it lives
These fish are typically found just above the seabed, facing into the current to catch drifting prey. They feed on small invertebrates. Juveniles live in small groups, but adults are monogamous and occupy sandy burrows either alone or in pairs. When threatened, they retreat quickly into these burrows for safety. They are generally peaceful and sociable creatures within their habitat.
Breeding and life cycle
Adults form monogamous pairs and share sandy burrows on the reef floor. This pairing behaviour is central to their social structure. While specific details on egg laying are not provided here, the establishment of shared burrows by pairs suggests a cooperative breeding or living arrangement distinct from the group living seen in juveniles.
Fish and people
The fire goby is a popular choice for marine aquariums. It is considered safe for reef tanks and is suitable for novice keepers, though a covered tank is necessary as they can jump. In captivity, they eat brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and zooplankton. They are peaceful and may form schools if kept in larger numbers. They are widely available in pet stores.
Questions people ask about Fire goby
How big does the fire goby get?
An adult fire goby reaches a maximum length of nine centimetres, which is about three and a half inches. This small size makes it suitable for many home aquarium setups.
Are fire gobies aggressive?
No, they are peaceful and sociable fish. They are considered reef-safe and can even form schools if several are kept in the same tank. They are suitable for novice marine fishkeepers.
What do fire gobies eat in an aquarium?
In captivity, they feed on brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. They will also eat zooplankton that grows naturally in the aquarium. It is recommended to feed them twice per day.
Do fire gobies need a special tank?
Yes, an appropriate tank is required because they sometimes jump out of the water. A lid or cover is essential. Otherwise, they are hardy and suitable for novice keepers.
Good reading and sources
- Nemateleotris magnifica on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Nemateleotris magnifica", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryFish rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes, and figures change over time. Nothing here is investment or buying advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-11-15.
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