All fish / Pseudochromidae

Howson's dottyback

Pseudochromis howsoni

Also known as howson's dottyback, howsoni dottyback, howson dottyback

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A small, slender dottyback with rich colouring that typically shifts from bluish purple at the front to yellow towards the tail. It is kept for its bright colour, hardy nature and the way it darts in and out of rockwork in reef aquariums.

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

100 litres

Keep as

Keep singly unless a confirmed pair

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea region and Arabian Sea (Oman, Yemen, Gulf of Aden)

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid in a cave or crevice until they hatch after a few days. Several dottybacks have been bred in captivity, but rearing the tiny larvae needs live rotifers and copepods, so success is uncommon for home aquarists.

Good to know

Like most dottybacks it can be territorial and may harass small, peaceful fish or similarly shaped species, so add it last and give plenty of rock cover. It may eat very small shrimps.