All fish / Pseudochromidae

Yellow-dotted Dottyback

Pseudochromis flavopunctatus

Also known as yellow-spotted dottyback, yellowspotted dottyback, yellow dotted dottyback, flavopunctatus dottyback, red sea dottyback

This is a slim dottyback with a dark brownish body covered in small yellow dots. It is hardy, lively and spends its time darting in and out of rockwork, so it suits reef or fish-only tanks with plenty of caves.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

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, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, small pellets and frozen foods

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Somalia

Breeding

Pairs lay a ball of eggs inside a cave and the male guards it until the eggs hatch. Captive spawning can happen, but rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifers and copepods and is hard work.

Good to know

Like most dottybacks it defends its territory and may harass small or peaceful fish that have similar shapes, and two of the same species will often fight. It is not seen in the trade often, so check the identification carefully against other brown dottybacks.