All fish / Pseudochromidae

Magenta Dottyback

Pseudochromis porphyreus

Also known as purple dottyback, strawberry dottyback, strawberry basslet, magenta dottyback, porphyry dottyback, purple pseudochromis, クレナイニセスズメ, 紫草莓, 紫红拟雀鲷, 紫色草莓

A small, slender reef fish coloured a solid bright magenta from snout to tail, with clear fins edged in the same tone. It is hardy, reef safe with corals and adds a strong splash of colour while darting among rockwork.

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

100 litres

Keep as

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

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 7 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Palau, Japan (Ryukyu) and Samoa

Breeding

Pairs spawn a ball of eggs inside a cave, and the male guards them until they hatch after about four to five days. Captive-bred stock is produced commercially, though rearing the tiny larvae on rotifers takes skill.

Good to know

Territorial and can be pushy towards other dottybacks, small gobies and similar-shaped fish, so add it last and give it plenty of rock caves. It may eat small ornamental shrimps; do not confuse it with the similar purple form of Pseudochromis fridmani, which has a dark eye line.