Orangetail Dottyback
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
This species is one of the more docile dottybacks. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
This small dottyback is a great addition to the reef aquarium. It is less of a threat to shrimps and other crustaceans than others in the family. A male-female pair can be housed in a larger reef aquarium. The females are brown with an orange tail.
Family: Pseudochromidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Maximum length: 5.8 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Meaty foods, including finely shredded frozen seafood, mysid shrimp, frozen preparations, pigment-enriched flake food, and Cyclop-eeze. Feed every other day in a reef tank.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
One of the more docile dottybacks. However, larger males may terrorize small, passive species (e.g., gobies, dartfishes) in smaller tanks. Large individuals may beat up other dottybacks that are of similar size if they are added after the Orangetail is well-established in the tank.
It will spend much of its time slinking around among the live rock. If kept with more aggressive tankmates, it is likely to spend most of its time hiding.
[edit] Notes
The Bluelined Dottyback (Pseudochromis cyanotaenia) is a similar species.
| Common name | Orangetail Dottyback + |
| Family | Pseudochromidae + |
| Genus | Pseudochromis + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 2 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 20 gal + |
| Native range | Western Indian Ocean +, Indonesia +, and Maldives + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Specific name | coccinicauda + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |