All fish / Pseudochromidae

Doublestriped Dottyback

Pseudochromis bitaeniatus

Also known as double striped dottyback, two-lined dottyback, bitaeniatus dottyback, twostripe dottyback, double-striped dottyback, ニセスズメ, 双带拟雀鲷

A small, slender dottyback with a pale yellowish to cream body and two dark horizontal stripes running along each side. It is kept for its neat pattern, hardiness and lively character among rockwork in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a proven pair in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, northern Australia

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves, laying an egg ball that the male guards until hatching. It has been spawned in captivity, but rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifers and copepods and takes real effort.

Good to know

Like most dottybacks it can be territorial towards similar-sized, peaceful or similarly shaped fish, so add it last and give plenty of rock caves. It may eat very small shrimps.