Nemateleotris decora is one of the most remarkably colored dart fishes in the Maldives, and its superb coloration makes it a popular aquarium fish.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 6 cm
color
Body whitish, shading to deep purple posteriorly. Head whitish except lips, snout, and a broad median dorsal band which are violet. Prolonged anterior part of first dorsal fin orange-red, the leading edge magenta. Median fins coloured like body basally, then mainly orange-red with magenta bands.
This species can be found on the reef slope, typically at depths between 25-70 m, hovering above its burrow. It is usually seen alone or in pairs and feeds on zooplankton, particularly copepods and crustacean larvae. When startled, it will quickly dart back into its burrow.
distinctive characters
The first dorsal fin has six spines, the second dorsal fin has one spine and 27-32 rays, the anal fin has one spine and 28-31 rays, the pectoral fin has 20-21 rays, and the body depth is 4.8-5.7 in standard length. Additionally, the front of the first dorsal fin is elongated and the caudal fin is emarginate.