seabass Posted July 25, 2021 Share Posted July 25, 2021 (edited) Pseudochromis, a.k.a. Dottybacks Pseudochromis are also known as Dottybacks. They are hardy, active, and do well in captivity; however, they can become aggressive towards other Pseudochromis or fish with similar body shapes. House Dottyback singly unless the aquarium is very large. Provide a well fitted top to prevent jumping, and plenty of live rock with multiple caves and crevices for shelter. Territorial in nature, Dottybacks will limit your choices in a nano tank. They are best kept with larger tank mates (such as tangs, large damselfish, hawkfish, angelfish, squirrels, parrots, and other large fish which are not easily bullied). Dottybacks can hold their own against fish that are significantly more than twice their size. Their reputation to bully other fish means that they shouldn't be added to a peaceful aquarium community, or kept with timid or hesitant feeders. Pseudochromis will sometimes eat smaller ornamental crustaceans, like sexy shrimp or other anemone shrimps. There are various species of captive bred Pseudochromis. And while captive raised specimens tend to be more peaceful, they are still likely to harass other Dottybacks, Basslets, Wrasses, and small fish. There are even a couple of captive bred hybrid species available. In the wild, Dottybacks feed on plankton, small crustaceans, and worms. In captivity, they will accept most commercially prepared foods (including frozen, pellet, and flake). Feed a variety of food for carnivores (like chopped shrimp, krill, squid, clam, and mussels). If kept in a reef aquarium (where they can forage), they should be fed at least once per day. Occasional feeding of a herbivore preparation is also recommended. Orangetail Dottyback (Pseudochromis coccinicauda) Max Size: 2.5" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indo-Pacific Bluelined Dottyback (Pseudochromis cyanotaenia) Max Size: 2.5" Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Western Pacific Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) a.k.a. Fridman's Dottyback, Fridman's Pseudochromis Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Red Sea Sunrise Dottyback (Pseudochromis flavivertex) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden Dilectis Dottyback (Pseudochromis dilectus) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Sri Lanka Purple Stripe Dottyback (Pseudochromis diadema) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indo-Pacific Bicolor Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indo-Pacific Species Notes: The Bicolor Dottyback might be the hardiest of all the Dottybacks; however, it is also one of the more aggressive species. Keep it in an aggressive community of larger fish. Purple Dottyback (Pseudochromis porphyreus) a.k.a. Strawberry Dottyback Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, New Caledonia Elongate Dottyback (Pseudochromis elongatus) a.k.a. Elegant Dottyback Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indo-Pacific Species Notes: The Elongate Dottyback has a relative peaceful demeanor compared to other dottybacks; while less aggressive, it's not a skittish fish. Springeri Dottyback (Pseudochromis springeri) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indian Ocean: Red Sea Striped Dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Southern Red Sea, Gulf of Aden Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis) Max Size: 4" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Persian Gulf Yellow Dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus) a.k.a. Dusky Dottyback Max Size: 4" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: With Caution Origin: Indonesia Species Notes: In the wild, the Yellow Dottyback feeds on small fishes, large zooplankters, and small benthic crustaceans. Thy Yellow Dottyback will eat small ornamental shrimp. It's best kept with tangs, large damselfish, hawkfish, angelfish, squirrels, parrots and other large fish that are not easily bullied. Polynemus Pseudochromis (Pseudochromis polynemus) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indo-Pacific Splendid Dottyback (Manonichthys splendens) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indonesia, Australia Lyretail Dottyback (Pseudochromis steenei) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Western Pacific Tono's Dottyback (Pseudochromis tonozukai) Max Size: 5" Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Indo-Pacific, Sumatra, Indian Ocean HYBRIDS: Electric Indigo Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani x Pseudochromis sankeyi) hybrid Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Red Sea Species Notes: The Indigo Dottyback is a captive-Bred hybrid of an Orchid Dottyback and a Striped Dottyback. Black Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis x Psuedochromis springeri) hybrid Max Size: 3" Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons Care level: Easy Temperament: Semi-aggressive Reef Compatible: Yes Origin: Fiji, Kenya, Maldives Species Notes: The Black Neon Dottyback is a captive-Bred hybrid of a Neon Dottyback and a Springeri Dottyback. It possesses an unique ability to alter coloration on its flanks from black to a rust color. Photos by Edited July 25, 2021 by seabass Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.