Species description

Care, breeding and tankmates

Fish profile

Temperament

Aggressive

They are notoriously bold, aggressive, and highly territorial. They will not hesitate to attack and harass fish much larger than themselves. To prevent them from dominating the tank, they should always be the final fish added to the aquarium.

Diet

Carnivore

They are strict carnivores that feed on small benthic invertebrates and zooplankton. In captivity, they eagerly eat frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and high-quality meaty pellets. They are also excellent at hunting nuisance bristle worms within the rockwork.

Sex ratio

Solitary

They are highly territorial and should be kept individually in most home aquariums. Attempting to keep more than one will almost always result in deadly aggression. They will also show extreme aggression towards fish of similar shape, like wrasses or other dottybacks.

Feeding frequency

Twice daily

They require feeding one to two times per day. They are active hunters that spend the entire day searching for copepods and other microfauna. Providing a varied diet will keep their vibrant magenta coloration bright and healthy.

Bioload

The Magenta Dottyback has a very low bioload footprint. Their small size means they do not heavily impact the aquarium's filtration system. Standard reef maintenance and water changes are perfectly adequate to keep the water clean.

Flow

Moderate

They prefer moderate to strong water flow, navigating easily through the currents. This simulates the turbulent waters of their natural reef habitat. Good flow also aids in keeping the tank highly oxygenated.

Jump risk

Yes

They are highly prone to jumping, especially when introduced to a new tank or during aggressive encounters. A tightly fitted mesh screen or glass canopy is an absolute necessity. All gaps around plumbing and overflows must be securely blocked.

Reproduction

Oviparous

They are demersal spawners, laying a clutch of adhesive eggs deep within a cave. The male vigorously guards the eggs until the fry hatch. While captive breeding is possible, it is quite difficult due to the tiny size of the newly hatched larvae.

Compatibility & tankmates

Reef safe

They are reef safe and will leave corals completely alone. However, they are highly predatory toward small ornamental shrimp and will often kill them. They are extremely aggressive towards peaceful fish and should only be housed with tough, semi-aggressive tank mates.

Tank level

Middle/Bottom

They inhabit the lower to middle sections of the aquarium, staying very close to the rock structure. They require a complex aquascape with numerous tight caves, crevices, and hiding spots. They will fiercely claim a specific cave network as their exclusive territory.