Scissortail Dartfish

The Scissortail Dartfish is an elegant, streamlined species that makes a wonderful addition to peaceful reef aquariums. Its slender body features a soft blue-gray to lavender anterior half that transitions to a darker blue-black on the posterior, with a distinctive deeply forked tail that gives the species its common name. When the fish spreads its caudal fin, the scissor-like shape becomes especially apparent, adding to its graceful appearance as it glides through the water column.

In the wild, Ptereleotris evides is found across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea to the central Pacific, where it inhabits sandy slopes and rubble flats near reef edges. The species is notably social, typically found in pairs or small groups that hover together above the substrate, feeding on passing zooplankton. Pairs share burrows and are rarely found far from each other, making them one of the most reliably pair-bonded fish in the dartfish family. When threatened, both members of a pair will shoot simultaneously into their shared burrow.

The Scissortail Dartfish is an ideal species for keeping in pairs, which is the recommended approach for the best behavioral display. Paired fish are noticeably more confident and spend more time hovering in open water than solitary individuals. Like all dartfish, a secure, tight-fitting lid is essential to prevent jumping losses. The species is completely reef-safe, hardy once acclimated, and peaceful toward all tankmates. A sand bed of at least 2-3 inches deep is recommended to allow natural burrowing behavior.