Nemateleotris magnifica, which is a popular aquarium fish, can be distinguished from N. decora by its colour patterns and the length of its elongated first dorsal spine, which is much longer than that of N. decora, and is found in shallower waters.
Details
§ 01
size
Max. 8 cm
color
Body whitish, shading to bright red posteriorly. A magenta streak on top of head. Spinous dorsal whitish, the basal half of leading edge red. Dorsal and anal fins primarily red, suffused with blackish posteriorly and distally. Caudal fin blackish red with two converging narrow dark olive bands.
This species can be found on the reef slope, hovering above its burrows in sandy patches, at depths ranging from 6 to 60 m. It is usually seen in pairs and does not stray far from its burrow, retreating into it quickly when startled. Its diet consists mainly of zooplankton, such as copepods and crustacean larvae.
distinctive characters
The first dorsal fin has six spines, the second dorsal fin has one spine and 28-32 rays, the anal fin has one spine and 27-30 rays, the pectoral fin has 19-20 rays, and the body depth is 4.4-4.9 in standard length. Additionally, the front of the first dorsal fin is extremely elongated and the caudal fin is rounded.