All fish / Pseudochromidae

Pale dottyback

Pseudochromis pesi

Also known as pesi dottyback, pale pseudochromis, pesi pseudochromis, blue-spotted dottyback, ペシ・ドティーバック, 淡色拟雀鲷

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A slim dottyback with a pale tan to yellowish body covered in rows of small blue spots, with blue edges on the fins. It is a hardy, active reef fish that spends its time darting among rock caves, and it is usually reef safe with corals.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Single fish, or a pair in a large tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 7 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean: East Africa from Kenya and Tanzania to Mozambique, Seychelles, Comoros and Madagascar

Breeding

Males guard a ball of eggs laid in a cave until they hatch after a few days. Spawning happens in aquariums, but rearing the tiny larvae needs rotifers and copepods and is a job for experienced keepers.

Good to know

Like most dottybacks it can be territorial and may bully small, timid fish or attack small shrimps, so add it last and give plenty of rockwork. Keep only one unless you have a confirmed pair.