How To Care For Dottybacks

Dottyback fish, belonging to the family Pseudochromidae, are vibrant and bold reef inhabitants renowned for their striking colors and feisty personalities. Typically found throughout the tropical Indo-Pacific, these small but territorial fish are commonly seen darting between rocky crevices and coral formations, where they stake out their homes. Known for their adaptability and intelligence, Dottybacks exhibit fascinating behaviors, such as mimicking other fish or defending their turf with surprising vigor. Popular species like the Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani), the Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis), and the Sunrise Dottyback (Pseudochromis flavivertex) are valued in the aquarium hobby for their vivid hues and ability to thrive in diverse tank setups. While their bold nature may require thoughtful tankmate selection, these captivating fish add both color and personality to any saltwater aquarium.

General Habitat & Tank Requirements:

Tank Size: A minimum of 20-30 gallons is recommended for a single Dottyback, depending on species.
Aquascape: Provide ample live rock to create hiding spots and territories, mimicking their natural reef habitat.
Substrate: A sandy substrate is ideal to mimic their natural habitat, but Dottybacks have no specific substrate requirements.
Lighting: Not a major factor in keeping Dottybacks. They'll do well in aquariums with low to high light.
Cover: Ensure the aquarium has a secure lid, as Dottybacks are known jumpers.

Water Conditions:

Temperature: 75°F to 80°F (23°C to 27°C).
pH: 7.7 to 8.5.
Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.020 to 1.026.
Water Quality: Maintain ammonia and nitrite levels at 0 ppm, and nitrates below 20 ppm.
Filtration: Employ high-quality filtration, such as a protein skimmer, to ensure optimal water quality.

Diet and Feeding

Dottybacks are Carnivores, meaning they rely on meaty foods for their nutrition. Offer a varied diet of different meaty foods such as mysis shrimp and brine shrimp. For optimal heath, feed small amounts two to three times daily, ensuring they consume the offering within 1 to 2 minutes.

Behavior and Compatibility

Dottybacks can be semi-aggressive, especially towards smaller co-inhabitants in smaller aquariums. It's best to keep only one Dottyback per aquarium.

Some Compatible Tank Mates:

Dwarf and large angelfish
Butterflyfish
Cardinalfish
Clownfish
Damselfish
Gobies
Tangs
Wrasses

Health and Maintenance

Perform regular water changes of 10-25% every two to four weeks to maintain water quality. Regularly test water parameters and observe your Dottyback for signs of stress or illness, such as loss of color, appetite changes, or erratic swimming.

Common Health Issues

Dottybacks can be susceptible to common health issues in an aquarium environment such as:

Marine Ich: Identified by white spots on the body and rapid breathing.
Marine Velvet: Similar appearance to Ich but more severe, causing a dusty, velvet-like appearance on the skin.
Bacterial Infections: Open wounds from aggression or handling can become infected, leading to redness, swelling, or ulcerations.

Maintaining excellent water quality and a stress-free environment can prevent most health issues.