Firefish

Maintenance:
   Feed all kinds of live, frozen, and flake foods. It is best to feed small amounts several times a day. Since they feed on planktonic animals in the wild, they will do well with small protein foods like brine shrimp. Make sure they have plenty of places to hide, i.e. rockwork or live rock.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Firefish or Fire Dartfish are found in the Indo-Pacific: East Africa to the Hawaiian, Marquesan and Pitcairn islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia and the Austral Islands; throughout Micronesia.

Social Behaviors:
   This fish feeds in groups in the wild, they are found swimming into currents near reef heads feeding on planktonic animals. Several individuals may share the same hole (especially juveniles). Firefish have a habit of flicking their pennant-like first dorsal fin back and forth. They are a territorial fish with each fish requiring approximately 10-20 square centimeters (1.5-3.0 square inches) of vertical space. They will establish a heirarchy of dominance in the aquarium.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   We have not found this information.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Firefish or Fire Dartfish adults can grow to 6.0 cm (2.4 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 30 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   Weak to moderate water movement is appreciated.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
   No special requirements.

Availability:
   This fish is readily available and is inexpensive, the Purple Firefish is somewhat rarer and slightly more expensive.