DottybacksMorgan Oliver

Aquaculture 2014

What are Dottybacks?

Family Pseudochromidae, Genus Pseudochromis

Ornamentals Found in coral reefs in the wild Cheaper in aquacultureMore readily available now

More basic info

• Hermaphroditic• Hardy aquarium fish, adapt quickly• territorial • May eat tankmate, can be aggressive• Prefer dim tanks

Picture perfect

Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Orchid dottyback• A. fridmani

• territorial• Most “laid back”

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Diadema dottyback• P. diadema

• Semi-aggressive • Like to be hidden

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Striped dottyback• P. sankeyi

• Live in colonies• Less aggressive

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Sunrise dottyback• P. flavivertex

• Moderately aggressive/territorial

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Bicolor dottyback• P. paccagnellae

• Aggressive and territorial

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Elongate dottyback • P. elongatus

• less aggressive• rare

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Magenta dottyback• P. porphyreus

• Similar to orchid dottyback

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Indigo dottyback• P. fridmani x sankeyi

• Show mild behavior of striped dottyback

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Neon dottyback• P. aldabraensis

• Aggressive

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Black margin dottyback• P. tapeinosoma

• Very aggressive to conspecifics (same species)

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Springeri dottyback• P. springeri

• Aggressive to conspecifics

Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Splendid dottyback • M. splendens

• May eat crustaceans• Somewhat aggressive

Cost • Very expensive if caught in wild• Much cheaper in aquaculture• Can find them in most pet stores

Life cycle of reef fishes• Adults spawn• Hatched larvae are taken to open

ocean where they feed on zooplankton near surface

• Larvae mature and become equipped to survive pelagic environment

• Few make it back to the reef, transfer into juveniles, and then sexually mature into adults

Reproduction in captivity and

production methods• One mated pair per tank• They are hermaphroditic, one will grow

larger and become the male• Females spawn 2-4 times/month• Males responsible for eggs

Reproduction in captivity and

production methods• Female deposits eggs into male’s nest• Male fertilizes and cares for the eggs• After spawning, eggs hatch on the

evening of 5th day

Reproduction in captivity and

production methods• Transparent larvae

• Separated from adults

• Active in the entire water column

• Grow very fast when taken care

of correctly

Reproduction in captivity and

production methods• Day 9- slight coloration• Day 20- juveniles, not larvae• Day 25-30 – juveniles start to settle out and

need hiding places to undergo metamorphosis• Adult coloration within 7 days • Stay in hiding and eat what floats by• Rapid growth

Feeds and feeding• Preferably, foods high in natural

pigments• Plankton, bloodworms, brine shrimp,

pellets, flakes• Live rock is helpful

Water chemistry and culture requirements• Salt water• Lots of hiding places and low light,

since they are used to deep water• Alkalinity: 124-214 ppm• pH- 8.1-8.4• Temp- 22-26 C

Advantages Disadvantages

Beautiful Must feed correctly or they’ll lose color

Very hardy Not easy to grow

Adults= easy to take care of

Aggressive and territorial

Not picky eaters

Can be expensive

sources• http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=2x

W7U9z0ErHSsASfn4D4AQ&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg

• http://www.orafarm.com/products/fish/dottybacks• http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcs3/index.php• http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/breeder• http://www.rcthawaii.com/reproduction/4.htm• http

://www.seaandreef.com/marine-ornamental-fish/dottybacks/orchid-dottyback