All fish / Pseudochromidae

Oman Dottyback

Pseudochromis omanensis

Also known as oman dottyback, omani dottyback, arabian dottyback, オマーンドティーバック, 阿曼拟雀鲷

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A small, slender dottyback from Omani reefs, usually dusky brown to grey with yellowish tones and fine blue markings around the head and fins. It is kept for its hardiness and bold character, and it spends its time darting among rockwork in reef tanks.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

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 mated pair

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis and 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: Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea coast of Oman

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid inside a cave or crevice until they hatch after a few days. Captive spawning of dottybacks is fairly common, but rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifers and patient effort.

Good to know

Like most dottybacks it can be territorial and may bully small, peaceful fish or other dottybacks, so add it last and provide plenty of rock caves. It is rarely seen in the trade, so check the identification as several similar brown dottybacks are sold.