Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis)

Neon Dottyback Pseudochromis aldabraensis
Name	Neon Dottyback
Name Lat.	Pseudochromis aldabraensis
Family	Dottybacks
Family lat.	Pseudochromidae
Order	Ovalentarias
Order lat.	Ovalentaria inc. sed.
Origin	Indian Ocean
Habitat	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	8 cm
Temperature	24-28 °C
Salinity	33-36 ‰
Aquarium	~ 200 l
US Units
Size	3"
Temperature	75-82 °F
Salinity	1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium	~ 50 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Pseudochromis aldabraensis is the West Indian Ocean, from the Seychelles (Aldabra Atoll) and the Persian Gulf via the Gulf of Oman to Sri Lanka. They live there on reefs, hidden between corals and rocks.

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, meaning that most males develop from functional females when needed. There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.

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 coral 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