Firefish and dartfish

Scissortail dartfish

Ptereleotris evides

Also sold as Blackfin dartfish

Care level: Beginner
Adult size: 14 cm in aquariums
Minimum tank: 114 litres
Temperament: Peaceful
With corals: Reef safe
Captive-bred: Wild-caught (captive-bred rare)
IUCN status: Least Concern

Show volumes inLitresUK gallonsUS gallons

How do you care for the scissortail dartfish?

Peaceful; territorial with own kind unless paired (retailer), though often sold in small groups.

Feeding

Carnivore.

Feeds in the water column.

Tank and special needs

Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

Tight lid; open swimming room.

Corals and invertebrates

None.

Which tankmates suit the scissortail dartfish?

Timid; easily outcompeted.

Suggested order in a mixed tank: add early, with the first peaceful fish.

More than one scissortail dartfish

Only as a mated pair, or two juveniles added together. A third scissortail dartfish is usually driven out.

Other fish

Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

Take care (5)

Maroon clownfishMaroon clownfish is aggressive and may bully the scissortail dartfish, especially if the bully is added first.
Bicolor blennyBicolor blennies may nip small gobies and dartfish in small tanks.
Humbug damselHumbug damsel is aggressive and may bully the scissortail dartfish, especially if the bully is added first.
Six line wrasseSix line wrasses often bully peaceful wrasses, firefish and dartfish, especially in small tanks.
Powder blue tangPowder blue tang is aggressive and may bully the scissortail dartfish, especially if the bully is added first.

Usually fine together (54)

Invertebrates

Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

Take care (2)

Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

Corals and anemones

Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

Quarantine and health

Standard.

New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

Captive-bred or wild?

Wild-caught.

Sources

LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.

Last checked 21 October 2026. How we check

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