Orchid Dottyback

[edit] Overview

Once a rarity that commanded breathtaking prices from well-heeled aquarists, this is a wonderful little reef fish that is both flashy and very hardy. Now being commercially bred in captivity, it has become affordable and widely available.

The Orchid Dottyback will glide in the open water for brief periods and then disappear in a crevice. It often hangs at the entrance of its refuge to watch the world and wait for passing plankton. It is a fish that offers countless hours of watching pleasure.

[edit] Feeding

Carnivore. Feed meaty foods, at least once a day. Offer color-enhancing foods to prevent pigment loss, although it tends to be more colorfast than many others in the family.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

Although this species does not tend to be as aggressive as some in the family, it can bully more diminutive fishes, especially in smaller tanks where it will stake out its territory. Keep one per tank unless housed in a large aquarium or you can obtain a heterosexual pair. This is a great reef aquarium fish that typically ignores ornamental invertebrates, with the possible exception of delicate anemone shrimps or small fanworms.

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that tend and protect their broods. Will spawn in home aquaria. See Martin A. Moe, Jr's guide, Breeding the Orchid Dottyback.

Category: Species