Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Semi-aggressive

They are much less aggressive than other dottybacks, exhibiting a somewhat shy but inquisitive personality. Once they establish a safe territory, they become quite bold and will frequently dart in and out of the rocks. They will vigorously defend their chosen cave from fish of similar size and shape.

Diet

Omnivore

They are carnivorous and naturally feed on small crustaceans and zooplankton. In captivity, they eagerly accept finely chopped meaty foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality carnivore micro-pellets. They are also highly prized for their natural appetite for nuisance bristle worms.

Sex ratio

Group

They can be kept singly or in bonded pairs. In very large aquariums with massive amounts of rockwork, small harems can sometimes be maintained. However, keeping multiple unsexed individuals in a small tank will lead to severe territorial aggression.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They should be fed small amounts one to two times daily. They are active hunters that spend their days constantly searching the rockwork for copepods and other microfauna. A well-established tank will provide a significant portion of their natural diet.

Bioload

Medium

The Orchid Dottyback has a very low bioload, making it an excellent choice for smaller reef tanks. They produce minimal waste that is easily processed by standard live rock and protein skimming. Regular water changes are sufficient to maintain pristine water conditions.

Flow

Strong

They prefer moderate water movement, similar to the natural currents found along the Red Sea reef faces. They are comfortable navigating through varied flow patterns in a standard reef aquarium. Good flow helps keep their prey suspended and the water highly oxygenated.

Jump risk

No

Reproduction

Oviparous

They are demersal spawners, laying a small cluster of adhesive eggs in a secluded cave. The male fiercely guards and tends to the eggs until they hatch several days later. They are commercially bred in captivity in large numbers, making captive-bred specimens widely available.

Compatibility & tankmates

Territorial

Unlike many other dottybacks, they are relatively peaceful and make excellent reef inhabitants. They will not bother corals, but may occasionally pick at small, delicate ornamental shrimp. They coexist well with a wide variety of peaceful to semi-aggressive fish.

Tank level

Middle/Bottom

They are secretive fish that spend the vast majority of their time in the lower levels of the tank, weaving through the rockwork. They rely entirely on caves, overhangs, and tight crevices for security. They rarely swim out into open water unless food is present.