All fish / Pseudochromidae

Springer's Dottyback

Pseudochromis springeri

Also known as springeri dottyback, springer's dottyback, blue striped dottyback, blue-lined dottyback, springers dottyback, springer dottyback, スプリンゲリー, 斯氏拟雀鲷

A small, dark charcoal dottyback with bright electric blue lines around the head and eyes. It is hardy, reef safe with corals and widely available as captive-bred stock, so it is a popular choice for nano and reef tanks. It spends most of its time darting in and out of rockwork.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

5.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

60 litres

Keep as

Singly, or as a mated pair in a larger tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Red Sea (endemic)

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 breeding is well established commercially, but raising the tiny larvae at home needs live rotifers and is challenging.

Good to know

It is territorial and may harass small, peaceful fish or other dottybacks, so add it last and give it plenty of rock caves. It can eat small ornamental shrimps.