All fish / Pseudochromidae

Orangetail Dottyback

Pseudochromis flammicauda

Also known as orange tail dottyback, flame tail dottyback, flametail dottyback, orangetail pseudochromis

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A small dottyback with a dark bluish grey body, bright blue lines on the head and a vivid orange tail. It is kept for its striking colour and hardy nature, and suits reef tanks as it ignores corals.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

75 litres

Keep as

Singly, or as a mated pair in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Northwestern Australia (Kimberley coast and offshore reefs)

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid in a cave or pipe until they hatch after about four to five days. It has been bred in captivity, but raising the tiny larvae needs rotifers and careful rearing.

Good to know

Territorial towards small, peaceful fish and other dottybacks, so add it last and provide plenty of rockwork. Rarely seen in the trade outside specialist sources.