Helfrich's Firefish Goby (Nemateleotris Helfrichi)

Also Known As: Helfrich's Dartfish, Helfrichi Firefish

Compatibility and Behavior
The Helfrich's Firefish is the aristocrat of the dartfish world, and the price tag reflects its rarity and breathtaking beauty. What you're paying for is that pastel coloration: soft lavender, violet, and yellow washing over a slender body that fades to a pale, almost translucent rear half, with purple gradients across the head and dorsal that light up under reef lighting. Add the elongated first dorsal spine and big expressive eyes and you get an elegant, sailing look as it hovers above the rockwork. Personality-wise it's peaceful and on the shy side, the type to claim a single burrow or crevice and hover just above it, darting back the instant anything startles it. That timid streak shapes its whole stocking plan: it shines in a calm community of other small, gentle fish and may get bullied by anything boisterous or predatory. It's also fully reef safe, leaving corals and inverts alone. The Helfrich's Firefish is a staff favorite among the Reef Beauties team, and we receive some of the most beautiful specimens in the trade from our direct supplier in the Marshall Islands.

Aquarium Requirements
The single most important piece of equipment for this fish is a tight-fitting lid, full stop. Helfrich's are accomplished jumpers, and a startled one will launch clean out of an open tank, which is a heartbreaking and expensive way to lose such a fish. Get that sorted and the rest is very manageable: a well-established nano to mid-size reef of around 20 to 30 gallons or more suits individuals in the 1.5 to 2.5 inch range, with more room welcome for a pair. The key is rockwork with plenty of caves, overhangs, and crevices so it always has a retreat within a quick dart, plus moderate flow and some gentle open water to hover in. Keep it on small, frequent feedings of mysis, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood, and quality micro pellets to hold condition and bring out its best color.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 1.5–2.5"
Diet: Carnivore; small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood, and quality micro pellets
Origin: Marshall Islands
Care Level: Intermediate
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Special Considerations: An accomplished jumper that must have a tight-fitting lid; shy and easily intimidated, so keep it only with gentle tankmates and provide ample hiding spots