🐠 Blackfin Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides)
Marine Reef-Safe Dartfish • Torpedo-Shaped Blue-Grey Display Fish • Graceful Open-Water Hoverer • Intermediate Marine Fish
 
📋 The Blackfin Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides), also known as the Scissortail Goby or Torpedo Goby, is an elegant, sleek marine fish with a light bluish-grey front half shading into a darker, near-black rear half, complemented by large dorsal and anal fins.
Native to outer reef slopes, lagoons, and bays across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Society Islands and New South Wales, this species hovers gracefully 1–2 metres above the substrate, feeding on drifting zooplankton.
Naturally shy but genuinely reef safe, Blackfin Dartfish spend most of their time hovering in open water near a retreat they can dart back into at the first sign of danger. Unlike some burrowing fish, this species can't dig its own hole — it relies on existing crevices or burrows made by other creatures, so the aquarium needs to already provide suitable hiding places such as rock crevices or a length of PVC pipe leading to a larger chamber. It's best kept singly unless housed as a genuine mated pair, since unrelated individuals in a small group may chase and injure each other.
With gentle tank mates, ample hiding places, and a secure lid, it thrives as a Graceful Open-Water Reef Display Fish.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Elegant Bicolour Body: Light bluish-grey front shading into a dark rear half
🐟 Graceful Open-Water Hoverer: Stays near a retreat point while feeding on zooplankton
🌿 Genuinely Reef Safe: Won't harm corals or invertebrates
⚠️ Notorious Jumper: A tightly fitted lid is essential
🏠 Needs Pre-Made Hiding Places: Can't dig its own burrow, unlike true gobies