Pseudochromis & Dottybacks - Springeri Dottyback and other Pseudochromis

Pseudochromis & Dottybacks

Pseudochromis & Dottybacks, are small brilliantly coloured reef fish which are very shy in the wild and are never found far from their favored cave. A common site in any reef aquarium, Dottybackss come from coral reefs all over the world. There are about 100 different species, broken into 4 sub-families. There are many rare dottyback found in remote locations throughout the world. Depending on where you live they can be quite expensive. In marine aquariums Dottybacks will start out being very shy but can warm to you with time. They are always darting to and from their favorite cave while still trying to keep a keen eye on what ever you maybe doing in the room. In the aquarium it is important to offer marine dottybacks a varied diet of high quality frozen foods as over time they tend to become dull in color, which can be very disappointing. Frozen plankton, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and bloodworms are all good selections to feed.

18 Results

Springeri Dottyback, Captive Bred
Pseudochromis Springeri
Picture of Springeri Dottyback, Captive Bred

Identification: Another beautiful dottyback from the Red Sea, Springer's Dottyback is an excellent addition to the reef aquarium. Its coloration is black with blue lines running through the head region. Springer's Dottyback is a very active, graceful swimmer, and is a joy to watch working their way around the rocky reef. ORA is the largest marine ornamental hatchery in North America and they are constantly developing new techniques to bring the finest captive bred specimens to environmentally conscientious aquarists throughout the world. Aquacultured marine life is the only alternative to wild caught marine aquarium fish.The tank bred Springer's Dottyback is quite easy to keep and feed and will make a great fish for both the beginner or the advanced saltwater aquarist. An excellent additional benefit to the Tank Raised Springer's Dottyback is that they prey on reef aquarium pests such as bristleworms but will not bother other reefsafe tank mates!

Tank Recommendations: Dottybacks require an aquarium of at least 30 gallons and with a rock-associated lifestyle should be provided with plenty of live rock and hiding places. They are middle to bottom dwellers that generally mix well with other reef inhabitants, but are territorial and can become aggressive towards other Dottybacks or similar-shaped fish.

Food and diet: Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/4" to 2"

$44.99

Sunrise Dottyback, Captive Bred
Pseudochromis Flavivertex
Picture of Sunrise Dottyback, Captive Bred

Identification: The Sunrise Dottyback is an excellent choice for beginners as well as the more experienced hobbyists. Another brightly colored basslet found in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, ORA's broodstock originates from Egyptian waters and produce the bluest Sunrise Dottybacks available in the industry. They have a dorsal yellow stripe from the snout to the tail, and have a blue body with white ventral area. A terrific "accent" fish they are extremely popular as a "nano" fish, the addition of a captive bred Sunrise Dottyback will surely bring a vivid dash of color to any reef aquarium. They are found living as solitary individuals around coral heads and rock rubble on the bottom. Generally, they are semi aggressive in aquariums and can easily be kept with gobies, blennies, and other small reef fish.

Tank Recommendations: Minimum housing for the Sunrise dottyback is a tank in the ballpark of 30 gallons, and plenty of rocky hiding places should be provided.

Food and diet: Feeding is simple, as they will accept most prepared frozen or dry aquarium foods. Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/4" to 2-1/2"

$44.99

Splendid Dottyback,Captive Bred
Pseudomchromis Splendens
Picture of Splendid Dottyback,Captive Bred

Identification: The splendid dottyback is also called the splendid pseudochromis.It is a small fish, only reaching an adult size of about 2-1/2 to 3 inches. Despite their small size, splendid dottybacks can be somewhat aggressive and so don't keep them with timid fish species, especially of a similar size and shape. Splendid dottybacks have the ability to change their sex and so if you have two then you will have a male-female pair. While the pair is attempting to establish themselves, make sure they have plenty of hiding places as they tend to fight during this period.

Tank Recommendations: A 30 gallon or larger aquarium is the correct size. Using live rock provide ample hiding places, caves, crevices for these fish to go within, seek as home, or use as a hiding place when nescessary. Just like other dottybacks, keep the quantity to one unless the aquarium is large enough to handle more.

Food and diet: Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/4" to 2-1/2"

$54.99

Black Neon Dottyback,Captive Bred
Pseudochromis aldabraensis x Pseudochromis springeri
Picture of Black Neon Dottyback,Captive Bred

Identification: The Black Neon Dottyback is a captive-bred hybrid between the Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis) and the Springer's Dottyback (P. springeri). It shares traits from both, including the bright blue stripes and a body color that can range from rusty brown to nearly black depending on mood and environment. The color will change between a jet black to a rust color and always keeps the gorgeous neon blue lines. An excellent additional benefit to the Hybrid Indigo Dottyback is that they prey on reef aquarium pests such as small mantis shrimp and bristleworms.

Tank Recommendations: A 30 gallon or larger aquarium is the correct size. Using live rock provide ample hiding places, caves, crevices for these fish to go within, seek as home, or use as a hiding place when necessary. Just like other dottybacks, keep the quantity to one unless the aquarium is large enough to handle more.

Food and diet: Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/4" to 2-1/2"

$44.99

Red Elongated Dottyback,Captive Bred
Pseudochromis elongatus
Picture of Red Elongated Dottyback,Captive Bred

Identification: The Red Elongated Dottyback is also known as the Floppy-Tail Dottyback or Elongatus Dottyback. A small and peaceful fish that is relatively new to the trade, it originates from Sulawesi and the Molucca Islands of Indonesia. Sporadic appearances in the aquarium hobby keep the Elongated Dottyback very in demand but hard to find. Making the ORA� Elongated Dottyback a highly-sought-after Pseudochromis. Its smoldering gradients of vibrant red and orange coloration make the Elongated Dottyback extremely beautiful in the marine aquarium. What's really nice is that its also rather peaceful. An excellent choice in our aquacultured and captive-bred aquatic life. The Elongatus Dottyback has a mild and social nature unlike many other Dottyback, it can be kept in groups without concern. An excellent additional benefit is that they prey on reef aquarium pests such as small mantis shrimp and bristleworms.

Tank Recommendations: A 30 gallon or larger aquarium is the correct size. Using live rock provide ample hiding places, caves, crevices for these fish to go within, seek as home, or use as a hiding place when necessary. Just like other dottybacks, keep the quantity to one unless the aquarium is large enough to handle more.

Food and diet: Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 1-1/2"

$49.99

Purple Dottyback
Pseudochromis porphyreus
Picture of Purple Dottyback

Identification: :Also known by the common name Magenta Dottyback, what makes this particular species so appealing? Maybe it is its dazzling purple coloration, or perhaps it has something to do with its interestingly curious nature its known to have. Reaching an average of only 3 inches in length. They are very popular because they are are an inexpensive fish that have the ability to consume and control bristleworms in the aquarium. The Magenta Pseudochromis will be aggressive toward other pseudochromis, therefore only one pseudochromis in the aquarium. An excellent additional benefit to this Dottyback is that they prey on reef aquarium pests such as small mantis shrimp and bristleworms.

Tank Recommendations: A 30 gallon or larger aquarium is the correct size. Using live rock provide ample hiding places, caves, crevices for these fish to go within, seek as home, or use as a hiding place when necessary. Just like other dottybacks, keep the quantity to one unless the aquarium is large enough to handle more.

Food and diet: Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2"

$19.99

Purple Striped Dottyback
Pseudochromis diadema
Picture of Purple Striped Dottyback

Identification: The Purple Stripe Dottyback is also called the Diadema Pseudochromis or flashback diadema. It has the same dazzling colours as the Bicolor Pseudochromis, but arranged differently. This has the magenta on its back, the bright yellow on the belly. It has a maximum size of only 2.4" and is from the Western Central Pacific Ocean within the tropical reefs. They are a beautiful and extremely hardy species that will add bright yellow and a splash of purple to any aquarium. The Purple Stripe Dottyback is an excellent choice for beginners and are also in demand for "nano" systems (a great choice for yellow in place of a yellow tang in smaller aquariums) as well as being a popular choice as an accent fish in larger reef setups.

Tank Recommendations: A 30 gallon or larger aquarium is the correct size. Using live rock provide ample hiding places, caves, crevices for these fish to go within, seek as home, or use as a hiding place when necessary. Just like other dottybacks, keep the quantity to one unless the aquarium is large enough to handle more.

Food and diet: Dottybacks are carnivorous and naturally prey upon small shrimp, amphipods, copepods and bristleworms. In the aquarium they should be fed a variety of meaty foods such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, finely chopped krill and other sea foods; as well as carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. To preserve the stunning coloration of a Dottyback, variety and vitamins are very important (their beautiful color may fade without them). Feed 1 to 2 times per day.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Excellent

Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 1-1/2"

$19.99

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Photos are representative of each species. All marine life will be unique and variations should be expected, color and sizes may vary.