| Elegant firefish | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Gobiiformes |
| Family: | Gobiidae |
| Genus: | Nemateleotris |
| Species: | N. decora
|
| Binomial name | |
| Nemateleotris decora J. E. Randall & G. R. Allen, 1973
| |
Nemateleotris decora, the elegant firefish or purple firefish, is a species of dartfish native to tropical waters in the Indo-West Pacific, from Mauritius to Samoa, north to Ryukyu Islands, and south to New Caledonia, from depths ranging between 25 and 70 m (82 and 230 ft). It is found over hard, open bottoms of reefs, sandy patches and rubble, as well as deeper coastal outer reef drop-offs where there are strong currents.[2] It reaches a maximum length of 9 cm (3 in).[2] This species is often found in pairs and is monogamous.[2] They feed on zooplankton, especially the larvae of copepods and crustaceans.[2] They will dart into holes when alarmed.[2] The populations of this species from the western Indian Ocean have been recognised by some workers as a distinct species, Nemateleotris exquisita, however, the validity of this taxon needs more taxonomic research.[1]
- ^ a b Greenfield, D.; Munroe, T.A. (2016). "Nemateleotris decora". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T69128478A69130388. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69128478A69130388.en.
- ^ a b c d e Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Nemateleotris decora". FishBase. Apr 2007 version.