Purple Firefish

Apr 07, 2011

The firefish’s elongated dorsal fin is used to communicate with other firefish.

Firefish

Design

The firefish’s elongated dorsal fin is used to communicate with other firefish. It is also used to lodge itself into small cracks and crevices of a reef. This defense mechanism became part of the firefish’s instincts only after the Fall since before the Fall all animals were vegetarian.

Features

  • The torpedo-like body of the purple firefish is colored light pink near its head and deepens into a deep red or orange at its tail.
  • The upper lobes of the tail are almost black.
  • It has an elongated dorsal fin.

Fun Facts

  • The purple firefish is aggressively territorial against other firefishes.
  • It is sometimes called a dartfish because of its quick swimming style.
  • Several firefishes, particularly juveniles, may utilize the same hole.

CLASS: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
ORDER: Perciformes (perch-like fishes)
FAMILY: Microdesmidae (dartfishes and wormfishes)
GENUS/SPECIES: Nemateleotris decora

Size: Up to 3 in (7.6 cm)
Depth: 20–200 ft (6–60 m)
Diet: Zooplankton and small crustaceans
Habitat: Indo-Pacific region

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