Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Orchid Dottyback, also referred to as the Fridman’s Dottyback, is endemic to the Red Sea, however the majority of individuals offered now are sourced from aquaculture. A relatively hardy and colorful fish, sometimes it is confused with the Purple Pseudochromis (Pseudochromis porphyreus), but the Orchid dottyback is considered the slightly less aggressive alternative. Maxing out at an adult size of approximately 3″, the Orchid dottyback makes a lovely addition into a reef aquarium. Only one Orchid dottyback should be kept per aquarium unless it is large enough to provide territories for multiple individuals. Sometimes dottybacks can quarrel with fish that have a similar body shape or impede on their territory. Orchid dottybacks have been observed to eat nuisance bristleworms. Fish in the genus Pseudochromis may be more sensitive to copper-based medications.
Diet Requirements: In the wild dottybacks are primarily carnivorous. A diet largely consisting of high quality, vitamin enriched frozen preparations is absolutely necessary to maintain optimal health, coloration, and immune function. Such foods can include, but are not limited to, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, calanus, cyclopeeze and rotifers. We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements. Multiple, small feedings per day rather than one large feeding will also create more of a natural environment for the Orchid dottyback as it would feed in the wild. Dottybacks may accept high quality flake and pellet foods.
Care Requirements: A minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal to house an Orchid dottyback. They enjoy a variety of rock work and crevices to take refuge through or beneath during the day. Despite their small adult size, Orchid dottybacks are best suited for a more active or semi-aggressive aquarium so long as they cannot be eaten by their tank mates. Some compatible options include triggerfish, tangs, larger angelfish, squirrelfish, hawkfish and damsels. Orchid dottybacks are reef safe and will not harm any coral or invertebrate. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size:
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
