All fish / Pseudochromidae

Jaguar Dottyback

Pseudochromis moorei

Also known as jaguar dottyback, moore's dottyback, jaguar pseudochromis, pseudochromis mooii, pseudochromis moori, spotted dottyback, ジャガードティーバック, 美洲豹草莓

A fairly large dottyback with a pale body covered in dark spots and blotches. Keepers usually describe it as jaguar-like, and it often has yellow on the fins. People keep it because it is hardy and has bold character, and it is uncommon in the trade.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Keep singly unless you have a confirmed pair

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Philippines and nearby Indonesian waters

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves, where the male guards a ball of eggs until they hatch after about a week. It has been bred in captivity, but raising the larvae is hard because they need rotifers and other live plankton.

Good to know

It is one of the more aggressive dottybacks and will go after small fish, other dottybacks and small crustaceans, so pick robust tankmates. The name Pseudochromis mooii looks like a misspelling of P. moorei.