6-Ring Eyed Dottyback
Pseudoplesiops typus
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.023-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Green, Pink, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Pseudochromidae
Not all that common in the aquarium trade, but exclusive in its beauty, the Ring Eyed Dottyback is a gemmy addition to your nano reef setup. Displaying distinct sexual dichromatism, male specimens are predominantly pinkish red, while females are paler pink with gradations of yellow-green where the dorsal, caudal, and anal fins meet the body.
Also known as the Big-Eye Dottyback or Hidden Basslet (it's notoriously secretive), the Ring Eyed Dottyback inhabits crevices within reef faces and lagoons at depths of 20 to 30 feet. In the aquarium, they will mostly hide in the rockwork, but will occasionally dash out from cover to snag pieces of food once fully acclimated.
While not too aggressive to other tankmates, the Ring-Eyed Dottyback may pick on smaller, passive species such as nano gobies in small aquariums. It's best to keep only one per tank, unless the aquarium is quite large. To promote prime coloration and reduce common fading in the aquarium, feed a varied diet supplemented with color-enhancing foods including vitamin enriched brine, mysis shrimp and quality prepared carnivore foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: Male - Small: 3/4" to 1-1/4"; Male - Medium: 1-1/4" to 2"; Male - Large: 2" to 3"; Female - Small 3/4" to 1-1/4"; Female - Medium: 1-1/4" to 2-1/4"
7-Yellow Dottyback
Pseudochromis fuscus
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: With Caution
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.021-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Pseudochromidae
Big, brave, and beautiful, the Yellow Dottyback is a real showstopper among its genus, spending a majority of its time patrolling open areas of your reef aquarium. The Yellow Dottyback's color ranges from canary yellow to a 'dusky' purple/brown (depending on its daily diet) with dark spots in the center of each scale. This creates a subtle pattern which sometimes resembles fine lines flowing across its side.
In the wild, the Yellow Dottyback is common to lagoon reefs, tide pools, as well as in coral crevices and fore-reef slopes, feeding heavily on small fishes, as well as large zooplankters and small benthic crustaceans. At home, a 30-gallon or larger aquarium will provide a suitable environment. The Yellow Dottyback won't be intimidated by other fish and will defend its territory, even against fish two to three times its size. It will eat small ornamental shrimp.
The diet consists of meaty foods including brine shrimpand prepared frozen foods. To achieve the brightest yellow color possible, we recommend feeding a diet rich invitamins.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 3"
8-Orchid Dottyback, Captive-Bred
Pseudochromis fridmani
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Purple, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Captive-Bred - USA
Family: Pseudochromidae
The Captive-Bred Orchid Dottyback, also known as the Fridman's Dottyback, or Fridman's Pseudochromis is an excellent addition to most reef tanks. This gorgeous lavender colored fish has a wonderful personality in the aquarium and will surely become the aquarium favorite. The Orchid Dottybacks are found only in the Red Sea. They can be found in colonies near ledges, where they can dart in and out to feed on the passing zooplankton.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with numerous hiding places should be provided. It will tend to swim in the open after it has become acclimated to its new environment. It may occasionally chase smaller fish but will defend its hiding places from intruders. It will prey on pests such as small mantis shrimp and bristleworms, making this fish ideal for the reef aquarium. If more than one Pseudochromis will be maintained together in the aquarium, it is important to add them at the same time.
The Captive-Bred Orchid Dottyback should be fed a varied diet consisting of foods specifically designed for carnivores. If kept in a reef aquarium, the Captive-Bred Orchid Dottyback should be fed once per day.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-3/4" Medium: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"
9-Double Striped Dottyback
Pseudochromis bitaeniatus
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Red, White, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Pseudochromidae
The Double Striped Dottyback is a lively Pseudochromis that adds dynamic energy to any marine aquarium setup. While it may lack some of the visual flair of its more wildly-colored cousins, the Double Striped Dottyback is an eye-catching fish nonetheless. The Double Striped Dottyback showcases a gorgeous mango-colored head accentuated by wide, horizontal stripes that run the entire length of the body. The monochromatic head of the Double Striped Dottyback is visually set off by sophisticated, layered striping comprised of a lighter, creamy band sandwiched by darkly-colored stripes reminiscent of ripe black grapes. As these color layers extend past the peduncle, it tapers and terminates to a spear point producing an unusual visual effect. The culmination is a bold and graphic color pattern that adds an exciting pop of color while embracing an exercise in restraint.
Due to its size, many hobbyists maybe first inclined to house the Double Striped Dottyback in a relatively small aquarium. However, the ideal setup for the Double Striped Dottyback will be an established saltwater aquarium of at least 30 gallons in size aquascaped liberally with generous amounts of live rock. Create ample crevices and caves for the Double Striped Dottyback. Similar to other Dottyback species, it is recommended to house the Double Striped Dottyback singly unless the aquarium is very large. Because of its energetic personality, the Double Striped Dottyback is well-suited in larger community marine aquariums where it will be content managing its territory while other tankmates go about their business. Be mindful that the Double Striped Dottyback will eat ornamental shrimp if the opportunity presents itself.
The diet of the Double Striped Dottyback consists of meaty foods including vitamin-enriched brine and mysis shrimp as well as other prepared frozen foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1 to 1/2"-2"; Large: 2" to 3"
10- Blue Eye Royal Dottyback
Pictichromis dinar
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Purple, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Pseudochromidae
The Blue Eye Royal Dottyback recently generated excitement among hobbyists as a newly described species of Pseudochromis. At first glance, it is almost indistinguishable from the commonly available Royal Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae). However, upon closer examination, the astute hobbyist will discover distinguishing features unique to the Blue Eye Royal Dottyback. Beginning with the namesake feature, the eye of this newly described species is a beautiful blue compared to the purplish eye of the familiar Royal Dottyback. However, the more identifiable physical feature is the distinct, lyre-shaped tail of the Blue Eye Royal Dottyback. Both the top and bottom margins of the caudal fin extend to form a classic lyre-shaped tail. Though less obvious than the signature lyretail, the color margin between the magnificent maroon anterior and brilliant yellow posterior of the Blue Eye Royal Dottyback features a transitional band of color.
The Blue Eye Royal Dottyback should be housed in an established marine aquarium 30 gallons or larger in size. The ideal setup should be aquascaped well with live rock to provide an ample selection of crevices and caves the Blue Eye Royal Dottyback can claim and defend. This hardy fish may demonstrate aggressive territorial behavior towards conspecifics and is best housed singly with the exception in the largest of home aquariums. In general, the spirited Blue Eye Royal Dottyback has an energetic personality and will not be easily intimidated by other fish even two to three times its size. Similar to the Royal Dottyback, it may also eat ornamental shrimp and is a predator of nuisance bristleworms.
The diet of the Blue Eye Royal Dottyback should consist of meaty foods including brine shrimp and prepared frozen foods. To maintain ideal coloration, offer foods such as krillthat contain carotenoids or prepared color-enhancing foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 3"
11- Orangetail Dottyback
Pseudochromis coccinicauda
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Pseudochromidae
The Orangetail Dottyback is an elusive Pseudochromis that until recently made sporadic appearances in the aquarium trade. For this reason, detailed information regarding the Orangetail Dottyback is difficult to obtain. However, it is easy to see why this diminutive Dottyback is highly-sought-after by hobbyists. Demonstrating sexual dichromatism, the male and female Orangetail Dottyback clad two very different, yet uniquely attractive color schemes.
In regards to dichromatic species, females are generally thought to be drabber in coloration. However, it is the female Orangetail Dottyback that demonstrates the namesake orange colored tail. The dominant body color of the female Orangetail Dottyback is a muted brown with a hint of dusky pink. In contrast, the male Orangetail Dottyback is predominantly a soothing midnight blue. This sedate body color is energized by a brilliant contrasting gold coloration that encompasses the lower half of the head and body. Iridescent vertical barring adds the finishing touches to the showy male Orangetail Dottyback.
The Orangetail Dottyback tends to be relatively more introverted compared to other gregarious Pseudochromis. Therefore, the ideal setup for the Orangetail Dottyback will be an established saltwater aquarium of at least 30 gallons in size aquascaped with generous amounts of live rock. Create ample crevices and cave for the Orangetail Dottyback to seek refuge. Upon acclimation, the Orangetail Dottyback will tend to venture no further than its favorite shelter. As the Orangetail Dottyback becomes accustomed to its new environment, it will explore greater distances. Similar to other Dottyback species, it is recommended to house the Orangetail Dottyback singly unless the aquarium is very large.
The diet consists of meaty foods including vitamin-enriched brine and mysis shrimp and other prepared frozen foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/4" to 2-1/4"
12- Red Elongated Dottyback
Pseudochromis elongatus
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Black, Orange, Pink
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia
Family: Pseudochromidae
The Red Elongated Dottyback is a treasured find for both reef hobbyists and marine fish-keepers. Sporadic appearances in the aquarium hobby kept the Red Elongated Dottyback in relative obscurity. However, its many desirable traits got out quickly, making the Red Elongated Dottyback a highly-sought-after Pseudochromis. The most obvious trait is its exquisite beauty. Boasting smoldering gradients of vibrant red and orange coloration, the Red Elongated Dottyback injects bold color to the marine aquarium. For many hobbyists, the exciting fiery red, rust, ox blood, and persimmon coloration alone makes the Red Elongated Dottyback highly desirable. But more notable is its relative peaceful demeanor compared to other dottybacks. Though less aggressive, the Red Elongated Dottyback is not a skittish fish. Once adjusted to its new environment, the Red Elongated Dottyback will spend time in the open to explore. This diminutive dottyback poses minimal threat to crustaceans and ornamental shrimp making it an excellent candidate for reef aquariums of all sizes.
The ideal setup for the Red Elongated Dottyback will be an established saltwater aquarium of at least 30 gallons in size aquascaped liberally with generous amounts of live rock. Create ample crevices and caves for the Red Elongated Dottyback. Similar to other Dottyback species, it is recommended to house the Red Elongated Dottyback singly unless the aquarium is very large.
The diet of the Red Elongated Dottyback consists of meaty foods including vitamin-enriched brine and mysis shrimp as well as other prepared frozen foods.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/4" to 2-1/4"
