All fish / Pseudochromidae

Australian Dottyback

Ogilbyina novaehollandiae

Also known as multicolor dottyback, multicoloured dottyback, australian dotty back, new holland dottyback, novae dottyback, オーストラリアンドティーバック, 澳洲草莓

A sturdy dottyback that varies a lot in colour, from red or orange to brownish, often with blue edging on the fins and a darker or paler head. Hobbyists keep it because it is hardy, eats readily and adds strong colour to rocky reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, one dottyback per tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Eastern Australia: southern Great Barrier Reef to northern New South Wales

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid inside a cave or crevice, and pairs can spawn in captivity if introduced carefully. Rearing the larvae needs rotifers and live plankton cultures, so it is achievable but demanding.

Good to know

It is one of the more aggressive dottybacks and may harass small, peaceful fish and eat tiny shrimps, so provide plenty of rockwork and add it last. Colour forms differ widely, so do not confuse it with other Pseudochromis species.