Tono's Dottyback

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to coral reefs of eastern Indonesia and the Philippines. Inhabits sheltered reef slopes and deep lagoons.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Pseudochromidae. Named in honor of the Indonesian marine researcher Tonozuka.

Social Behavior: Territorial and active. Lives among branching corals, darting out to capture small benthic crustaceans before retreating.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The head and anterior body are lavender-pink. The posterior body and tail are deep yellow-orange, with fine blue accents on the fins.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature marine aquarium of at least 120 liters with plenty of live rock to provide hiding spots and natural grazing surfaces.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Feeds on small benthic invertebrates, bristleworms, and copepods. Accepts high-quality flakes, pellets, frozen brine shrimp, and mysis.

Water Quality: Standard marine parameters: temperature 22-27 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, and salinity 1.020-1.025 with efficient filtration and moderate water movement.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Highly aggressive. Not compatible with other dottybacks, small gobies, or ornamental shrimp. Best kept with larger, robust tankmates.

Aquarium Breeding: Demersal spawner. The male guards the egg mass inside a cave until hatching. Spawning in home aquariums is rare but possible.

Risks and Diseases: Extremely hardy and disease resistant. The main risk is severe aggression toward peaceful tankmates or other bottom-dwelling species.