All fish / Pseudochromidae

Kristin's Dottyback

Pseudochromis kristinae

Also known as kristinae dottyback, kristin's dottyback, yellow-fin dottyback, socotra dottyback

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A small, slim dottyback with a mostly dark body, yellowish fins and fine blue edging, known from the rocky reefs around Socotra and the Gulf of Aden. Keepers value it as a hardy, colourful and bold reef-safe fish that seldom appears in the trade.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a proven pair in a larger tank

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: Socotra, Gulf of Aden and southern Oman

Breeding

Males guard egg balls laid in caves or rock crevices, and the larvae need rotifers and then newly hatched brine shrimp. Captive breeding is possible for skilled hobbyists but rarely carried out.

Good to know

Like most dottybacks it can be territorial and may bully small, timid or similar-shaped fish, so add it last to an established reef with plenty of rockwork. It may eat very small ornamental shrimps.