Orange Firefish

Orange Firefish

Description of the Orange Firefish
The Orange Firefish is also known as a Fire Goby, Fire Wormfish or Magnificent Dartfish. It is a very hardy fish and makes an ideal fish for the beginner, its recommended to place them alone or in a pair as this fish can become aggressive in a group. The Orange firefish is known as a tank jumper so make sure your tank has a lid to avoid them trying to escape!

Profile of the Orange Firefish
This Profile contains interesting facts and information about the Orange Firefish species.

• Size: Up to 9cm

• Diet / Feeding: Copepods, Crustacean larvae, Zooplankton but will accept frozen food

• Temperament: Very nervous fish, needs plenty of hiding places, ideally place alone or in pairs to minimise aggression

• Range: Reef dwellers, marine water of the Indo-Pacific and Central Pacific regions

• Behaviour: Known as 'tank jumpers', ensure the tank has a lid to avoid them escaping!

Scientific Classification of the Orange Firefish
Definition: Scientific classification, or biological classification, is how biologists group and categorize species of organisms with shared physical characteristics. Scientific classification belongs to the science of taxonomy.

• Species: Nemateleotris magnifica

• Popular Name: Orange Firefish - Fire Goby - Fire Wormfish - Magnificent Dartfish

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Actinopterygii

• Order: Perciformes

Interesting Facts and Information - How do you identify the sex of a Orange Firefish?
The males and females of many fish species have different colors or different shaped bodies. But there are also other fish species where there is no visible difference. Its sometimes tricky being an ichthyologist!

Interesting Facts and Information - Why are Orange Firefish slimy?
Orange Firefish secrete a type of mucus, or slime, from their skin. This slime provides protection against parasites and infections and helps the Orange Firefish to move through the water faster. Some fish species also release toxins in their slime which ward off enemy attacks. Other fish species use their slime to feed their young.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do Orange Firefish have gills?
Gills enable the Orange Firefish to breathe. Gills consist of thin sheets of tissue containing blood vessels. As water passes over the gills oxygen is absorbed into the blood stream Carbon dioxide passes out into the water. The gills are protected by a large bony plate called an operculum. Some fish species however have lungs and breathe air.

Interesting Facts and Information - Why do the Orange Firefish have fins?
A fin is an external appendage or "limb" of a fish. Fins are used for directing, stabilizing, or propelling the different fish species in water. Numbers of fins vary between fish species, but there are usually seven. Each of the fins on a fish are designed to perform a specific function:

• Dorsal fins - The dorsal fin is located on the backs of fishes. The Orange Firefish has Dorsal fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Ventral fins. The ventral fin is located on the pelvic area of fishes. The Orange Firefish has Ventral fins to lend stability in swimming.

• Caudal fins. The Caudal fin is located on the tail area of fishes. The Orange Firefish has Caudal fins to propel through the water.

• Pectoral fins. The Pectoral fin is located on the breast area of fishes. The Orange Firefish has Pectoral fins to for locomotion and side to side movement

Interesting Facts and Information about Orange Firefish