Helfrich's Firefish

Care Summary

Helfrich's Firefish is the premium version of the standard Firefish with more vivid purple and yellow coloration; care is similar but it commands a higher price and is less commonly available. House it in 30+ gallons with peaceful tankmates; like all Nemateleotris it is skittish and will spend most of its time hiding if there are aggressive or chasing fish in the tank. A bonded pair is worth the investment if you can find one; pairs hover together in the open much more than solo specimens and the courtship behavior between them is beautiful to observe. A tight lid is mandatory; Helfrich's are jumpers, and the initial few days in a new tank are the highest-risk period for leaping through gaps in cover.