Royal Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae)
| Royal Dottyback Pictichromis paccagnellae | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | Royal Dottyback |
| Name Lat. | Pictichromis paccagnellae |
| Synonym | Pseudochromis paccagnellae |
| Family | Dottybacks |
| Family lat. | Pseudochromidae |
| Order | Ovalentarias |
| Order lat. | Ovalentaria inc. sed. |
| Origin | Indo-West Pacific |
| Habitat | Seaward reefs |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| pH | 8.1-8.4 |
| Hardness | 8-10 °KH |
| Behavior | Aggressive |
| Keeping | Individual |
| Reef Compatible | Yes |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Life Span | 3-5 years |
| Protection | No |
| Metric Units | |
| Size | 7 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 Pictichromis paccagnellae is the eastern Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia and Australia to New Caledonia. They live there on outer reefs of shallow coastal waters in caves and between corals.
Maintenance
They require a well-structured aquarium with a reef structure that allows for territoriality (shelters, crevices, caves, branching coral sticks) 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 behave aggressively within the species and against other damselflies. They also defend their territory vigorously against other, larger fish. They should only be socialized with larger and robust fish.
Sex dimorphism
They are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning that most males develop from functional females when needed, and are referred to as "secondary males". The dominant, usually slightly larger animal always has male status. There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.
Reproduction and breeding
There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.
Important
Pictichromis paccagnellae is often confused with Gramma loreto, which originates from the Caribbean. Due to their incompatibility, keeping them together is not possible. They hardly swim in the open water, but stay close to their hiding place, to which they retreat in a flash in case of danger. As reef dwellers, they should be kept together with corals and not in a fish-only aquarium. Care should be taken when keeping them with shrimp, as they may be considered prey
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