- English Name : Elegant dartfish
- Local Name : Fari dhidha funna
- Size : Max. 6 cm
- Family : MICRODESMIDAE
- Order : Perciformes
- Distinctive Characters: First dorsal fin with 6 spines. Second dorsal fin with 1 spine and 27-32 rays. Anal fin with 1 spine and 28-31 rays. Pectoral fin with 20-21 - - rays. Body depth 4.8-5.7 in standard length. Front of first dorsal fin elongated. Caudal fin emarginate.
- Colour: Body whitish, shading to deep purple posteriorly. Head whitish except lips, snout, and a broad median dorsal band which are violet. Prolonged anterior part of first dorsal fin orange-red, the leading edge magenta. Median fins coloured like body basally, then mainly orange-red with magenta bands.
- Habitat and Biology: Found on the reef slope, hovering above burrows, usually at depths between 25-70 m. Does not stay far from its burrow in to which it quickly darts when frightened. May be seen solitary or in pairs. Feeds on zooplankton, especially copepods and crustacean larvae.
- Distribution: Maldives to Western Pacific.
- Remarks: Nemateleotris decora is one of the most remarkably coloured dart fishes in the Maldives. The
superb colouration of this fish makes it a popular aquarium fish.