Nemateleotris Decora
The purple fire goby, also known by such names as purple fire goby, purple fire goby and Purple Firefish. Under natural conditions, these fish can be found in the Indo-Pacific region, in the coastal areas of the islands of Mauritius, Samoa and Ryukyu. These marine fish are considered ideal for novice aquarists due to their sturdiness, fast food and strong immunity.
The Nemateleotris decora has stunning colours. The bullfin has a unique torpedo-like shape. The fish has a white or yellow body that turns black with a red edged tail fin. The head is purple and the fins are red with black and blue edging. Sexual differences are not pronounced. Fish reach a maximum size of 9-10 cm.
Nemateleotris Decora like to hover in the water column or above sandy substrate. While hovering, they simultaneously flap their dorsal and pectoral fins, perhaps thereby maintaining a stable position in the water column.
Due to their relatively small size, these fish may be kept in small aquariums up to 50 liters. The water quality in small tanks must be monitored particularly carefully, as it is quite difficult to maintain biological equilibrium compared to larger aquariums.
Keeping purple fire gobies in a common tank with other marine fish of comparable size and temperament is possible. In small aquariums, keep purple fiery gobies alone or in a pair consisting of a male and a female. Keeping several specimens together will lead to severe aggression among the fish, as they are considered the most aggressive of their family. Since the sex of the fish is very difficult to determine, if at all possible, the best solution is to get only one fish.
The fire purple bullfishes are excellent jumpers, so the aquarium should have a cover. Live rocks and grottoes should be placed at the bottom, which will serve as shelter for the Purple Firefish. Also, plenty of hiding places in the aquarium will accelerate the acclimatisation of the fish. It is advisable to dim the lighting as soon as the fish are in their new tank.
Water parameters: temperature 22-27° C, hardness dH 8-12°, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
The menu for this goby species will not be a problem for you. The fish eat most live and frozen foods (sea fish meat, shrimp, mizids) as well as flake food. They mainly feed on food particles suspended in the water column and collect the food from the substrate. Try to keep the food as varied as possible. They are given food twice a day.
Reproduction
In aquarium conditions Nemateleotris Decora does not breed. In the wild, the pair build a nest and take turns guarding it.
The life expectancy of the purple fire goby under aquarium conditions is about 3 years.
