Scissortail Dartfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A peaceful, eyecatching species, especially when kept in groups. Scott W. Michael
Overview
Here is an unusual and likable addition to the peaceful community tank that will spend its time hovering in the open and darting about the aquarium. It is a good candidate to be kept in a small school.
Family: Ptereleotridae
Other common name(s):
- Blackfin Dartfish
- Scissortail Goby
Native range:
- Indo-Pacific
- Red Sea
- East Africa
- Line Islands
- Society Islands
- Ryukyu Islands
- Ogasawara Islands
- New South Wales
- Lord Howe Island
- Rapa
Habitat: Reef-sand interface, lagoons and bays. In the aquarium, they will use flat rocks with depressions dug underneath as shelter sites.
Maximum length: 14 cm (6 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (75 °F) - 28 °C (82 °F)
General swimming level: Mid-level.
Feeding
Carnivore. Feed meaty foods, such as mysid shrimp and enriched adult brine shrimp, at least twice a day.
Aquarium Compatibility
When first added to the tank, the Scissortail Dartfish invariably goes into hiding. As it becomes comfortable with its new surroundings, it will begin swimming about in the water column.
Special Care
It is a proficient jumper that readily leaps from open aquariums. The tank must absolutely be kept tightly covered at all times.
Notes
This fish is very amiable and rarely, if ever, bothers other fish species. It may occasionally display toward and briefly chase other dartfishes, but rarely harms them. If picked on by large or aggressively competitive tankmates, it will hide incessantly, will not eat, and will eventually perish. More than one can and should be housed in the same tank, as they tend to do better when in groups. It will not harm ornamental invertebrates.