Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides)

The Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides) is an elegant and active pelagic goby with a pale blue-white anterior body that transitions to a striking dark indigo-blue posterior and a deeply forked scissor-like tail. It hovers gracefully in open water above the substrate, catching zooplankton carried by the current. Best kept in groups of 3 or more that school loosely, displaying natural behaviour. A tightly covered aquarium is essential — it will jump readily when startled.

Keep in groups of 3 or more with a secure lid on the aquarium. Provide sand substrate with rocks and rubble for the burrowing retreat they use for overnight shelter. Feed mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and quality frozen zooplankton preparations daily. Peaceful and reef-safe; compatible with most non-aggressive fish. Avoid housing with aggressive fish that will outcompete them for food.