All fish / Pseudochromidae

Madagascar Dottyback

Pseudochromis madagascariensis

Also known as madagascar dottyback, madagascar pseudochromis, sunrise dottyback, madagascar dotty back, マダガスカルドティーバック, 马达加斯加准雀鲷

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A small, slender dottyback with a grey to purplish body, an orange to red head and front, and yellow tones on the fins, often with blue edging. It is kept for its bright colours, hardiness and bold character, and it fits well in reef tanks as it ignores corals.

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

120 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

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

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles and Mascarene Islands

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid inside a cave or crevice until they hatch after a few days. Pairs can spawn in aquariums, but rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifers and copepods and takes some effort.

Good to know

Territorial towards other dottybacks and small, similar-shaped fish, so add it last and provide plenty of rockwork. It may eat small ornamental shrimps.