All fish / Pseudochromidae

Pyle's Dottyback

Pseudochromis pylei

Also known as pyle's dottyback, pylei dottyback, pyle dottyback, pyles pseudochromis, pseudochromis pylei

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Pyle's dottyback is a small, slender reef fish. Its body shades from lilac or grey-purple at the front to yellow or orange towards the tail, and males have stronger colour on the fins. It is found on deeper reef slopes and turns up only now and then in the trade, so keepers who like unusual small fish prize it, and it fits well into rockwork in a reef tank.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Keep singly, or as a male and female pair in a larger tank

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, Indonesia (Sulawesi, Moluccas), Papua New Guinea

Breeding

Pairs spawn in caves. The female lays a ball of eggs and the male guards it until the larvae hatch after about four to five days. A few Pseudochromis species are bred in captivity, but rearing the larvae of this one takes rotifers and copepods and is hard.

Good to know

Like other dottybacks it can be territorial and may bully small, peaceful fish or similar-shaped fish, so give it plenty of rockwork and add it to the tank last. It is safe with corals but may eat very small shrimp.