All fish / Pseudochromidae

Orchid Dottyback

Pseudochromis fridmani

Also known as fridmani dottyback, orchid dottyback, fridman's dottyback, fridmani, orchid pseudochromis, purple dottyback, fridman pseudochromis, フリードマニ, オーキッドドティーバック, 紫红拟雀鲷, 兰花草莓

A small, slim fish of vivid violet purple with a thin dark line running from the snout through the eye. It is popular in reef tanks for its intense colour, hardiness and willingness to eat, and captive-bred fish are widely sold. It is also one of the calmer 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

110 litres

Keep as

Single specimen, or a confirmed pair in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Red Sea

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves, where the male guards a ball of eggs until they hatch after about four to five days. Captive breeding is now routine on commercial farms, but raising the tiny larvae at home takes rotifers and careful work.

Good to know

It can be territorial towards other dottybacks and small fish of similar shape, so add it after more peaceful tankmates and give it plenty of rockwork. It may eat very small ornamental shrimp.