Nemateleotris helfrichi

Randall & Allen, 1973

Helfrichs’ Dartfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Eastwards to the Tuamotu Islands, and north to Southern Japan.

Size: 3 inches (6 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits areas above small patches of sand and usually found at depths between 85 – 130 feet (25 – 40 m) where it feeds on zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Common in the trade, and a very pretty fish. Has an elongated violet body growing paler towards the tail, with yellow on the head and black edging on the dorsal fin.

Can be maintained in either fish-only or reef aquariums with moderate currents and having numerous hiding places, e.g., rocky crevices. Will hover in open water, yet near the safety of an area where they can quickly retreat if threatened.

Should not be housed with aggressive fishes such as groupers, dottybacks, triggerfishes or aggressive angelfishes, which would interfere with its feeding and cause this fish to starve to death.

Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine fresh or frozen foods, including flake foods, which should be finely chopped and dispensed upstream so the water current brings the food to within the area it inhabits. Needs two feedings per day.

If difficult to get feeding in the beginning, try some live foods, such as adult fortified brine shrimp.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Microdesmidae

Genus: Nemateleotris

FYI: One per tank unless a mated pair.

Colors fade if it has an inadequate/varied diet.

Covered aquariums are required as this a good jumper.

Naturally faces into the current to capture zooplankton.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 80°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5