Encyclopaedia
Fork-tail Dottyback
Pseudochromis dixurus
An elegant dottyback with a distinctive forked tail and brilliant bluish body hues.
- Family
- Pseudochromidae
- Origin
- Indo-Pacifico occidentale: scogliere profonde del Mar Rosso e Oceano Indiano.
- Origin
- Tropical oceans and reefsSouth and Southeast Asia
- Tank use
- Used in 0 tanks
Share
22 °C - 26 °C
8.1 - 8.4
Marine
Bottom and middle
9 cm
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Western Indo-Pacific: deep reefs of the Red Sea and Western Indian Ocean.
Taxonomy and Morphology: A member of the Pseudochromidae family, it features a slender, laterally compressed body design. Adults reach a maximum size of approximately 9.0 cm.
Social Behavior: Shows a highly active and peaceful behavior. Dominant males may display minor intraspecific territoriality during breeding parading.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The coloration is exceptionally vivid, characteristic of reef-dwelling wrasses. Sexual dimorphism is prominent, with males showing brighter colors.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 150.0 liters with plenty of live rock shelters. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory to prevent jumping out.
Diet and Feeding: Carnivore. Feed zooplankton, frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp, alongside high-quality marine pellets.
Water Quality: Reef parameters with pH 8.1-8.4, gravity 1.023-1.025, and low nitrates are critical.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Peaceful reef companion. Suitable for community tanks. Keep only one male per aquarium to avoid fighting.
Aquarium Breeding: Egg scatterer. Protogynous hermaphrodite. Spawning in private aquaria has not been documented successfully.
Risks and Diseases: High risk of jumping. Prone to skin damage if stressed by aggressive tankmates. Maintain stable water conditions.
Fish profile
- Temperament
- Aggressivo con pesci introdotti successivamente e di dimensioni inferiori.
- Diet
- Carnivoro. Si nutre di plancton, mysis, artemia congelata e pellet.
- Tank level
- Bottom and middle
- Minimum group
- 1
- Adult size
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank volume
- 150 L
- GH
- n/a
- KH
- n/a
- TDS
- n/a
- Conductivity
- n/a
- Sex ratio
- Singolo
- Feeding frequency
- 2 volte al giorno
- Bioload
- Low
- Flow
- Moderato
- Jump risk
- Covered tank required
- Reproduction
- Oviparo. La riproduzione in cattività domestica non è registrata.
- Compatibility & tankmates
- Reef-safe con i coralli, ma incompatibile con altri pseudocromidi nello stesso acquario.
Ecological Estimates & Biological Models
- Trophic level
- 3.5 ± 0.5 se
- Phylogenetic uniqueness (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayesian Length-Weight
- a = 0.01148, b = 2.95
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
Related species
Other recommended species with similar care requirements and water parameters.
