All fish / Pseudochromidae

Allen's dottyback

Manonichthys alleni

Also known as allen's dottyback, allens dottyback, allen dottyback, allen's pseudochromis

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A slender dottyback with a pale to greyish body, a yellowish or purple-tinted head and finely edged fins, it spends much of its time darting in and out of rockwork. Hobbyists keep it because it is hardy, reef safe with corals and adds bold personality to reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a proven pair in a larger tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific: Indonesia (Bali, Sulawesi, Moluccas) to Philippines and Malaysia

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves, and the male guards the ball of eggs until it hatches after a few days. Related Manonichthys species have been raised in captivity, but rearing the larvae needs rotifers and copepods, so most hobbyists will find it hard.

Good to know

It can be territorial towards other dottybacks and similar-sized cave dwellers, and it may eat very small shrimps, so give it plenty of rockwork. Do not mix it with other dottybacks unless the tank is large.