{"product_id":"scissortail-dartfish-ptereleotris-evides-saltwater","title":"Scissortail Dartfish (Ptereleotris evides)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eScissortail Dartfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePtereleotris evides\u003c\/em\u003e), also sold as the Scissortail Goby or Blackfin Dartfish, is a slender, peaceful plankton picker that hovers in open water above the rockwork and flicks a deeply forked, black-edged tail. It is an easy, reef safe fish for a covered tank, but it is nervous: it hides for its first days in a new home and it will jump from any open gap when startled. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater fish and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eLid First, Then Everything Else\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDartfish lose more often to the floor than to disease. When something startles them (a hand in the tank, a net, the lights snapping on, a bully) they shoot straight up, and a gap the width of a finger is enough. Cover the whole top with a tight lid or mesh screen, including the cut-outs around cords, heaters and the overflow, before this fish goes in. Fade the lights on and off where you can, and keep the tank free of fish that chase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e starts in a 30 gallon with open swimming room above the rockwork. Plan on 55 gallons or more as it grows toward 4 to 5 inches, or if you want to try more than one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e required. A tight lid or mesh screen over every gap, every time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4, moderate flow. Stable, mature saltwater.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e a carnivore that picks food out of the water column. Offer small meaty foods two or three times a day: mysis, enriched brine shrimp and small pellets. A slim fish like this one shows hunger fast, so small frequent meals beat one big one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful toward other species, but it can quarrel with its own kind. One per tank is the safe plan.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelter:\u003c\/strong\u003e give it a cave or hole low in the rockwork and some sand or rubble. It hovers near its bolt hole and dives into it when worried.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch for:\u003c\/strong\u003e a dartfish that is bullied stops coming out to eat and slowly starves. Check that it is actually getting food at every feeding during the first weeks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eScissortail Dartfish, Scissortail Goby, Blackfin Dartfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePtereleotris evides\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eMicrodesmidae (dartfishes)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIndo-Pacific, Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, can quarrel with its own kind\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to about 5.5 inches, usually 3 to 4 inches in aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons with a tight lid\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, zooplankton feeder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scissortail Dartfish does best with calm community fish that will not chase it or outcompete it at feeding time: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellaris-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eOcellaris Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eGreen Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pajama-cardinalfish-sphaeramia-nematoptera-saltwater\"\u003ePajama Cardinalfish\u003c\/a\u003e and small gobies such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/yellow-clown-goby-gobiodon-okinawae-saltwater\"\u003eYellow Clown Goby\u003c\/a\u003e are good company. It ignores corals, clams and the cleanup crew.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat goes wrong: dottybacks, aggressive damsels, hawkfish and larger wrasses bully it until it hides and stops eating, and lionfish, groupers and triggers will eat it. Two dartfish, or a dartfish and a close relative like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/zebra-bar-goby-ptereleotris-zebra-saltwater\"\u003eZebra Bar Goby\u003c\/a\u003e, can fight as adults unless the tank is large. It is also not a shrimp goby. It does not share a burrow with a pistol shrimp, so do not buy it for that job; shrimp gobies such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hifin-banded-goby-stonogobiops-nematodes-saltwater\"\u003eHiFin Banded Goby\u003c\/a\u003e are the ones that partner with pistol shrimp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-bio-pure-frozen-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eHikari Bio-Pure Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e as the daily staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Mysis Shrimp Cube\u003c\/a\u003e for variety\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-formula-1-pellets\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Formula 1 Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e in the small size for a dry food it learns to take mid-water\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/selcon-vitamin-fish-food-supplement-60ml\"\u003eSelcon\u003c\/a\u003e to soak frozen food a few times a week\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is my dartfish hiding all the time?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat is normal for the first several days to a couple of weeks. It hovers near its cave and darts in at every movement until it trusts the tank. Peaceful tank mates, a cave of its own and dim lights at feeding time bring it out sooner. If it still hides after a few weeks, look for a fish that is chasing it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it really jump?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Jumping is the number one way these fish are lost. Cover every gap before it goes in, including the back strip around cords and plumbing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep more than one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne per tank is the safe plan, and this listing is for one fish. Juveniles sometimes get along, but adults can turn on each other. If you want to try a group, use 55 gallons or more, add them on the same day, and have a backup tank ready.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It eats plankton and small meaty foods and leaves corals, clams, snails, crabs and shrimp alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it live with my pistol shrimp?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot as partners. Dartfish do not team up with pistol shrimp the way shrimp gobies do, and a big pistol shrimp can even be a threat to a fish that sleeps in the rockwork. If a pistol shrimp partnership is the goal, choose a shrimp goby instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat tank size do I really need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA 30 gallon with a tight lid is a fine start. It grows to 4 or 5 inches and spends its day swimming, so plan on 55 gallons or more for the long run.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51102786846939,"sku":"SQ-DARTFISHSCISSO","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image-coming-soon-shopify_2cea2b85-9953-41c3-b083-6a8c82489254.png?v=1794440498","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scissortail-dartfish-ptereleotris-evides-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}