All fish / Pseudochromidae

Diadem Dottyback

Pseudochromis diadema

Also known as diadem dottyback, diadem basslet, diadema dottyback, diadem pseudochromis, purple stripe dottyback, diadem, purple-backed dottyback, ディアデマ・ドティーバック, 紫背草莓, 紫背准雀鲷

This small, bright yellow fish has a vivid purple band that runs from the snout along the top of the back. It is hardy, stays small and adds strong colour to reef tanks, and it hides among rockwork as it moves about.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly; one per tank unless it is a known pair

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and the South China Sea

Breeding

Females lay a ball of eggs in a cave and the male guards it until the eggs hatch, usually after four to six days. Captive-bred fish are produced commercially, but rearing the tiny larvae at home is hard and needs rotifers and copepods.

Good to know

It is very territorial for its size and will harass small, peaceful or similarly coloured fish, so add it last and give it plenty of rockwork. It may also eat small ornamental shrimps.