All fish / Pseudochromidae

Neon Dottyback

Pseudochromis aldabraensis

Also known as arabian dottyback, neon dotty back, aldabra dottyback, orange neon dottyback, pseudochromis neon, ネオンドティーバック, 阿尔达布拉拟雀鲷, 霓虹草莓

A slim, bright orange fish with electric blue lines running along the head and back and blue spots edging the fins. It is hardy, reef safe with corals, and brings strong colour to rockwork, while it will also eat small pests such as bristle worms.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

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 mated pair

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Pakistan to Sri Lanka, Aldabra

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid in a cave or pipe, and the larvae hatch after about four to six days. Pairs spawn fairly readily in aquariums and captive-bred fish are sold, but rearing the larvae needs rotifers and patience.

Good to know

Very territorial and quarrelsome for its size, so avoid other dottybacks and small, timid or similarly shaped fish, and add it last to the tank. It may eat small ornamental shrimps.