All fish / Pseudochromidae

Cole's Dottyback

Pseudochromis colei

Also known as cole's dottyback, cole's pseudochromis, colei dottyback, yellow-bellied dottyback

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Cole's Dottyback is a small, slender reef fish that is usually yellowish on the belly and darker greyish brown to purplish on the back. It is hardy and fits well in small reef tanks, where it stays near rockwork and darts in and out of caves. Keepers like it because it is less aggressive than many other dottybacks.

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

75 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indonesia (Flores, Bali, Sulawesi and nearby islands)

Breeding

The male guards a ball of eggs inside a cave or crevice until they hatch, usually after about four to five days. Spawning in captivity is quite common, but raising the tiny larvae needs rotifers and is difficult.

Good to know

It is milder than most dottybacks but can still be territorial towards small, shy fish and towards other dottybacks, so give it plenty of rockwork. It may also eat small ornamental shrimps.