All fish / Pseudochromidae

Flavivertex Dottyback

Pseudochromis steenei

Also known as steene's dottyback, lyretail dottyback, orangehead dottyback, flame tail dottyback, steenei dottyback, steene dottyback, ステーニードティーバック, 斯氏拟雀鲷

A fairly large dottyback, males are dark grey to black with a bright orange head and a pale, lyre-shaped tail, while females are a plainer brown-grey. It is kept for its striking colours and bold character in rocky reef aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Single specimen; one per tank

Diet

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

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Indonesia (Flores, Bali, Lesser Sunda Islands)

Breeding

Pairs spawn a ball of eggs in a cave and the male guards them until they hatch. Captive breeding has been achieved but rearing the tiny larvae on rotifers is demanding.

Good to know

One of the more aggressive dottybacks, it will bully or kill small, peaceful fish and may eat small shrimps. Provide plenty of rockwork and add it last to the tank.