Nemateleotris helfrichi
| Identification | Slender dartfish with a pale lavender to white anterior fading to vivid purple-magenta toward the tail. The face and upper head are bright yellow. An elongated first dorsal spine is held erect. One of the most colorful and sought-after dartfish in the hobby. |
| Maximum Length | 3 inches (7.5 cm) |
| Origin | Central Pacific — Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Line Islands; typically found at depths of 60–230 feet |
| Minimum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Reef Compatibility | Yes — completely reef safe |
Behavior
Peaceful and reef-safe. Spends much of its time hovering in the lower-to-mid water column, darting back to a burrow or crevice at the first sign of disturbance. Best kept in mated pairs or small groups in sufficiently large systems; single specimens can become shy and reclusive. A dedicated jumper — a tight-fitting lid with no gaps is absolutely essential. Will not bother corals, invertebrates, or unrelated fish.
Diet & Feeding
Planktivore. Accepts frozen mysis shrimp, frozen enriched brine shrimp, and small-particle pellets. Feed small portions twice daily. The addition of live copepods to the tank greatly benefits this species and encourages natural foraging behavior.