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Nemateleotris lavandula Tea & Larson, 2023
by KaiTheFishGuy (Synonym Lemon TYK)
Like Nemateleotris decora, N. helfrichi enjoys a fairly extensive distribution across the Pacific Ocean. Its distribution loosely follows the boundaries of the Pacific Plate, reaching the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Australia. The species has been described from specimens collected throughout the Pacific, with the type locality being Tahiti in the French Polynesian Islands. Oddly enough, the species exhibits a rather distinct difference in color pattern and maximum size in this range, with those in the French Polynesian Islands growing larger and having a very distinct black spot on the upper jaw. Those in the western and central Pacific are smaller and do not have a black upper jaw. They also differ in having a much more yellow head and snout.
Curiously, these differences did not go unnoticed even in the original description of N. helfrichi.
Presumably Randall and Allen attributed them to interspecific variations. Well, Helen and I looked at every single specimen of N. helfrichi we could get our hands on in museum collections. Ironically, for a species that is so common and so widely recognizable in the aquarium trade, there are more specimens living as pet fish in your home aquariums than there are in museums around the world! In contrast to the emerging qualities that separated "N. exquisita " from N. decora, the differences exhibited by the two N. helfrichi populations were compelling and robust. The two do not overlap in distribution, with the black pine N. helfrichi sensu stricto being restricted to French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, and the yellow-headed variety everywhere else.
Note: Pictures in direct comparison of the two species can be found on the link to Reefbuilders. There you can see it quite well we think.
General information about keeping:
Basically arrow gobies are well suited for a reef tank. They are shy in the beginning, but can be kept quite well. They need good hiding places, because they often only come out of their hiding place (like crevices and small caves) to feed. Above all, you should avoid large and fast fish, otherwise you will hardly see them.
Since all arrow gobies are very good jumpers, the tank should be covered if possible. They like to stand in the current when feeding.
Many aquarists usually put two or more gobies, unfortunately this only works well for a while. As soon as the animals are adults, it can be that one animal chases away the other, and thus consecrates to death.
Read more: https://reefbuilders.com/2023/03/17/meet-nemateleotris-lavandula-the-lavender-blushed-dartfish/
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
by KaiTheFishGuy (Synonym Lemon TYK)
Like Nemateleotris decora, N. helfrichi enjoys a fairly extensive distribution across the Pacific Ocean. Its distribution loosely follows the boundaries of the Pacific Plate, reaching the Great Barrier Reef in northeastern Australia. The species has been described from specimens collected throughout the Pacific, with the type locality being Tahiti in the French Polynesian Islands. Oddly enough, the species exhibits a rather distinct difference in color pattern and maximum size in this range, with those in the French Polynesian Islands growing larger and having a very distinct black spot on the upper jaw. Those in the western and central Pacific are smaller and do not have a black upper jaw. They also differ in having a much more yellow head and snout.
Curiously, these differences did not go unnoticed even in the original description of N. helfrichi.
Presumably Randall and Allen attributed them to interspecific variations. Well, Helen and I looked at every single specimen of N. helfrichi we could get our hands on in museum collections. Ironically, for a species that is so common and so widely recognizable in the aquarium trade, there are more specimens living as pet fish in your home aquariums than there are in museums around the world! In contrast to the emerging qualities that separated "N. exquisita " from N. decora, the differences exhibited by the two N. helfrichi populations were compelling and robust. The two do not overlap in distribution, with the black pine N. helfrichi sensu stricto being restricted to French Polynesia and the Cook Islands, and the yellow-headed variety everywhere else.
Note: Pictures in direct comparison of the two species can be found on the link to Reefbuilders. There you can see it quite well we think.
General information about keeping:
Basically arrow gobies are well suited for a reef tank. They are shy in the beginning, but can be kept quite well. They need good hiding places, because they often only come out of their hiding place (like crevices and small caves) to feed. Above all, you should avoid large and fast fish, otherwise you will hardly see them.
Since all arrow gobies are very good jumpers, the tank should be covered if possible. They like to stand in the current when feeding.
Many aquarists usually put two or more gobies, unfortunately this only works well for a while. As soon as the animals are adults, it can be that one animal chases away the other, and thus consecrates to death.
Read more: https://reefbuilders.com/2023/03/17/meet-nemateleotris-lavandula-the-lavender-blushed-dartfish/
Jumping guard
A jumping guard prevents (nocturnal) fish from jumping out.
Wrasses, blennies, hawkfishs and gobies jump out of an unprotected tank in fright if their night rest is disturbed, unfortunately these jumpers are found dried up in the morning on carpets, glass edges or later behind the tank.
https://www.korallenriff.de/en/article/1925_5_Jump_Protection_Solutions_for_Fish_in_the_Aquarium__5_Net_Covers.html
A small night light also helps, as it provides the fish with a means of orientation in the dark!
