All fish / Pseudochromidae

Blackback dottyback

Pseudochromis punctatus

Also known as blackback dottyback, spotted dottyback, punctatus dottyback, dottyback, 斑点拟雀鲷

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This is a slim dottyback, dark on its back and covered in small pale or bluish spots, which grows to about 10 cm. It is a hardy reef-dwelling fish that spends its time darting between rock caves, and keepers who want an active, characterful fish for a rockwork tank choose it.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

9 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Keep singly unless you have a confirmed pair

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Indian Ocean (Somalia and the Gulf of Aden coast)

Breeding

Like other dottybacks it lays a ball of eggs in a cave, and the male guards them until they hatch. Captive breeding of this species is rarely reported, and raising the tiny larvae calls for live rotifers and a lot of effort.

Good to know

It is territorial and may harass small, peaceful or similarly shaped fish, so add it last and give it plenty of rockwork. You will rarely see it on sale, and other dottybacks are sometimes sold under this name.