Dartfishes

These fishes belong in the "Order Perciformes" and "Suborder Percoidei" as members of the "Family Microdesmidae" (Dartfishes & Wormfishes) consisting of 2 subfamilies, 10 genera, and 73 species.

Often thought of as "Gobies" however, they are members of the Dartfish Family Microdesmidae. These fish are zooplankton feeders, and generally hover in open water, yet near the safety of an area where they can quickly retreat if threatened. They like the security of wedging themselves into tight places for a restful night's sleep. Unfortunately, nighttime predators such as crabs may make them an evening snack. One per tank is sometimes recommended as they can be quite quarrelsome among themselves, yet small groups have been successfully maintained.

Gunnellichthys

  • G. curiosus Neon / Curious / Swimming Wormfish
  • G. monostigma One-spot Wormfish
  • G. pleurotaenia One-stripe Wormfish
  • G. viridescens Yellow-stripe Wormfish

    Nemateleotris

    Often called Firefish/Fire Gobies, yet they are members of the Dartfish Family Microdesmidae.

  • N. decora Purple Firefish / Purple Dartfish
  • N. helfrichi Yellowhead Firefish / Helfrichs' Dartfish
  • N. magnifica Firefish / Fire Goby

    Ptereleotris

    They are often called Torpedo Gobies, but are also members of the Dartfish Family Microdesmidae.

  • P. arabica
  • P. evides Spottail / Scissortail Gudgeon / Dartfish
  • P. grammica Lined Dartfish
  • P. hanae Blue Hana Goby
  • P. heteroptera Blacktail Goby
  • P. microlepis Blue Gudgeon / Green-eye Dartfish
  • P. monoptera
  • P. uroditaenia Flagtail Dartfish
  • P. zebra Chinese Zebra Dartfish


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