🐠 Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora)
Marine Reef-Safe Dartfish • Vivid Purple & Yellow Display Fish • Peaceful Burrowing Species • Beginner-Friendly Nano Reef Fish
 
📋 The Purple Firefish (Nemateleotris decora), also known as the Decorated Firefish or Elegant Firefish, is a strikingly coloured marine dartfish prized for its vivid purple-to-lavender body, bright yellow highlights, and elegant elongated dorsal fin that flicks gracefully as it hovers above the substrate.
Native to deeper reef slopes and rubble zones across the Indo-Pacific, from the Philippines through Indonesia to parts of the Pacific islands, Purple Firefish are found hovering near burrows or crevices they retreat into at the first sign of danger.
Naturally shy but not unfriendly, Purple Firefish spend most of their time hovering just above the substrate or rockwork, darting for cover when startled — a trait shared with other members of the dartfish family. They are peaceful and reef safe, making them a favoured choice for nano and peaceful community reef tanks, though they are notorious jumpers and require a well-covered aquarium.
With stable water conditions and calm tank mates, they thrive as a Vivid Peaceful Nano Reef Display Fish.
 
💡 Highlights
💜 Vivid Purple & Yellow Colouration: Elegant, high-contrast body with a flowing dorsal fin
🐟 Graceful Hovering Swimmer: Hangs suspended near its burrow rather than actively cruising the tank
🧠 Excellent Nano Reef Fish: Well suited to smaller peaceful reef and community setups
🌿 Reef Safe: Compatible with corals and most reef invertebrates
🏠 Burrow-Dwelling Behaviour: Appreciates rockwork or sand with retreat space nearby