Habitat

Firefish live in the Fishy Forest of Connecticut, where underwater caves and glowing kelp beds keep them cozy. They love cool, murky waters where the blue light of their flames can be seen flickering in the depths like underwater fireworks.

What It Eats

Firefish enjoy snacking on worms, bugs, and flies. They are especially fond of lightning bugs, which add an extra sparkle to their fiery appearance after a good meal.

How It Moves

Despite being on fire, firefish are playful and love to leap out of the water in dazzling blue arcs. They often surprise hikers and fishermen by jumping high enough to startle nearby birds—or slightly singe unwary tree branches.

Fun Facts

• The firefish was discovered by a 7-year-old boy named Dean. Dean had been fishing in the Fishy Forest pond, hoping to catch a regular trout, when he accidentally dropped his entire lunch—a triple-decker peanut butter sandwich—into the water. Instead of sinking, the sandwich burst into blue flames. Dean stared in amazement as a giant, furry, flaming fish jumped up, swallowed the flaming sandwich whole, and gave Dean a big wink before disappearing back under the water. Dean immediately ran home shouting, “Mom! I found a firefish! And it stole my lunch!” The name stuck.

• Firefish can survive both underwater and in the air (but only for a few minutes before they get bored and dive back in).

• No one knows how they stay on fire underwater. Scientists gave up trying to explain it after one caught his lab coat on fire without even touching one.

• Firefish purr when they’re happy, but it sounds more like a crackling campfire.