All fish / Pseudochromidae

Philippines Dottyback

Pseudochromis fowleri

Also known as philippines dottyback, fowler's dottyback, fowler dottyback

No free-to-use photo of this fish yet. Took one yourself? Send it to us and we will credit you.

This is a small, slender dottyback that grows to about 5 cm. It has a long dorsal fin and fairly muted colours. It is rarely seen in the trade, so collectors who like unusual reef fish seek it out. Like its relatives, it spends its time darting in and out of rockwork and is bold for its size.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, one dottyback per tank

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis and 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 central Pacific: Philippines and nearby Indonesian reefs

Breeding

The male guards a ball of eggs inside a cave or crevice until they hatch. Other dottybacks are bred in captivity, but there are few if any records of this species being bred, and rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifer and copepod cultures.

Good to know

Dottybacks can be territorial and may bully small, peaceful fish or other dottybacks, so give it plenty of rockwork and add it to the tank last. It is easily confused with other small brown Pseudochromis species, so check identification before you buy.