Brown Dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus)
| Brown Dottyback Pseudochromis fuscus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Brown Dottyback |
| Name Lat. | Pseudochromis fuscus |
| Family | Dottybacks |
| Family lat. | Pseudochromidae |
| Order | Ovalentarias |
| Order lat. | Ovalentaria inc. sed. |
| Origin | Indo-Pacific |
| Habitat | Lagoons, seaward reefs |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Semi-aggressive |
| Keeping | Individual, pair |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Life Span | 4-7 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 10 cm |
| Temperature | 24-28 °C |
| Salinity | 33-36 ‰ |
| Aquarium | ~ 200 l |
| US Units | |
| Size | 4" |
| Temperature | 75-82 °F |
| Salinity | 1.020-1.025 sg |
| Aquarium | ~ 50 gal |
Distribution and habitat
The range of Pseudochromis fuscus is the eastern Indian and Pacific Oceans, from Sri Lanka to Vanuatu and from the Ryukyu Islands (Japan) to Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. They live mostly in caves and among corals (acropores and pocillopores) in lagoons and on outer reefs.
Maintenance
They require a well-structured aquarium with a reef structure (branching coral sticks, small caves and crevices) and live stones that act like a biological filter, as well as fine-grained sandy areas. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free sands, gravels, stones or sea sand of various grain sizes may be used as substrate
Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must correspond to the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals
| Salinity: 33-36 ‰ | pH value: 8.1-8.4 |
| Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH | Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l |
| phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l | nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l |
For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to consistently good water quality and water values.
Diet
They are ambush hunters that prefer to eat planktonic small crustaceans. The food change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a combination of live and frozen food, such as artemia, mysis, shrimp and krill, with chopped fish, mussel and shrimp meat or a commercially available frozen food mixture enriched with vitamins. Dry food (flakes, granules) is rarely accepted
It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day. Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.
Behaviour and compatibility
They are very territorial and even when pairs are formed, each animal often occupies its own territory, which is vigorously defended. The dominant, usually somewhat larger animal always has male status. To avoid territorial fights, they should be introduced into the aquarium at the same time. Towards other fish they behave mostly peacefully.
Sex dimorphism
They are protogynous hermaphrodites, i.e. most males develop from functional females. No external distinguishing characteristics are known.
Reproduction and breeding
Breeding has often been successful. The male lures the female into his cave to lay eggs. The spawn ball is guarded and cared for by the male until the fry hatch after about 1 week. Special food, such as brachionus (rotifers), is needed for rearing.
Important
They hardly swim in the open water, but stay close to their hiding place, to which they retreat in a flash when in danger. They are good at fighting bristle worms, but shrimp often become prey as well. As reef dwellers, they should not be kept in a fish-only aquarium
If different species are kept together, care should be taken to ensure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements and social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. New fish to be introduced must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium.
Further literature can be found in your pet store.
References
Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak
Source: BAENSCH & DEBELIUS (2006): Meerwasser Atlas Bd. 1, Mergus Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch
- Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF