Your Guide to Buying and Adding a Firetail Goby to Your Tank

The Firetail Goby, known scientifically as Nemateleotris magnifica, is an eye-catching, small marine fish. Its brilliant tail and darting movements make it a favourite for many aquarists, especially those with nano and smaller tanks.

Choosing the Right Firetail Goby

When looking to purchase a Firetail Goby:

• Seek out specimens that are active and exhibit vibrant coloration.
• Look for any signs of disease or stress, such as torn fins or cloudy eyes, and avoid those individuals.

Physical Appearance

Characteristics of the Firetail Goby include:

• A slender body with a size of around 3 inches when fully grown.
• Predominantly white or pale-coloured body with a bright red to orange tail, giving it its common name.
• An elongated dorsal fin that it often displays.

Compatibility with Other Fish

When considering tankmates:

• Firetail Gobies are generally peaceful and can coexist with many other peaceful species.
• However, they might be territorial with their own kind, so consider keeping them singly or ensure ample space if housing more than one.

Reef Safe

For those with coral setups:

• Firetail Gobies are considered reef safe.
• They typically do not harm corals or other invertebrates.

Suitable Tank Size

Given their small size:

• A tank size of 40 litres or more is suitable, though larger spaces provide more stable environments.

Water Conditions

To ensure the well-being of a Firetail Goby:

• Temperature: 22-25.5°C
• pH levels: 8.1-8.4.
• Specific gravity: 1.020-1.025.

Preparing Your Tank

For the best environment:

• Provide a sandy substrate, as they often like to sift through it.
• Offer plenty of hiding spots with live rock formations.

Monitoring Behaviour

What to watch for:

• Observe their characteristic darting movements.
• Ensure they are actively exploring the tank and not hiding persistently, which could indicate stress.

Feeding Schedule

When it comes to nourishment:

• They are omnivorous and prefer a varied diet.
• Offer high-quality marine flakes, brine shrimp, and occasionally, finely chopped marine meats.
• Feed once or twice daily, ensuring they get adequate food without overfeeding.

The Firetail Goby is a delightful and relatively easy-to-care-for fish that can be a radiant addition to a marine aquarium. Its spectacular tail coloration and playful behaviour can provide endless entertainment and beauty to any tank setup.