Introduction: The Royal Dottyback, also known as the Bicolour Dottyback, is a vibrant and hardy marine fish prized for its stunning coloration. With a striking contrast of deep blue or purple on the front half of its body and bright yellow on the rear half, the Royal Dottyback is an eye-catching addition to any reef aquarium. Native to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, this fish is known for its territorial and sometimes aggressive behavior, particularly in smaller tanks, but it thrives in a well-maintained and spacious environment.
Scientific Name: The Royal Dottyback is scientifically known as Pictichromis paccagnellae. It is also commonly referred to as the Bicolour Dottyback or Royal Dottyback.
Water Quality and Temperature: To ensure the health and vibrancy of your Royal Dottyback, maintain the following water parameters:
- Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 75°F to 80°F (24°C to 27°C).
- pH Level: Maintain a pH level between 8.1 and 8.4 to replicate its natural coral reef environment.
- Salinity: Aim for a specific gravity of 1.020 to 1.025.
- KH Level: Keep the carbonate hardness (KH) within the range of 8 to 12 dKH to ensure stable water conditions.
Feeding: The Royal Dottyback is carnivorous and enjoys a protein-rich diet. Provide the following:
- Pellets: High-quality marine pellets designed for carnivorous fish.
- Live or Frozen Foods: Offer brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, krill, or other meaty marine foods.
- Flake Foods: Can be supplemented but should not be the primary diet.
Tank Mates: The Royal Dottyback can be territorial and occasionally aggressive, especially in smaller aquariums. It is best kept with similarly sized or larger, semi-aggressive fish that can hold their own. Suitable tank mates include species like clownfish, angelfish, and certain tangs. Avoid keeping them with peaceful or shy species that may be harassed. If keeping multiple Dottybacks, ensure a large tank with ample hiding places to reduce aggression.
Substrates and Tank Decorations: A sandy or fine-gravel substrate works well for the Royal Dottyback. Incorporating plenty of live rock and crevices will give the Dottyback places to hide and establish its territory. The live rock also helps replicate the natural reef environment and provides grazing opportunities for invertebrates, which the Dottyback may occasionally hunt.
Suitable Plants: The Royal Dottyback does not interact much with plants, but adding live rock covered with corals or algae can enhance the tank’s natural feel. Soft corals and other reef elements can thrive in their presence.
Sexing: Sexing Royal Dottybacks is difficult as males and females look almost identical. During breeding, males may display brighter coloration and increased territorial behavior.
Breeding: Breeding Royal Dottybacks in captivity is possible but requires a controlled environment. These fish are egg-layers, and the male will guard the eggs in a small cave or crevice until they hatch. Providing plenty of hiding places and stable water conditions is key to encouraging spawning behavior. After spawning, it’s advisable to remove the female, as the male may become highly protective.
Maximum Size and Longevity: The Royal Dottyback grows to a maximum size of about 3 inches (7.5 cm). With proper care, they can live up to 5 to 7 years in captivity.
General Information: The Royal Dottyback is a small, vibrant fish that brings a burst of color to any marine aquarium. While known for their bold personality and territorial nature, they are hardy and relatively easy to care for, making them a popular choice among marine aquarists. Their striking bicolour appearance, combined with their energetic behavior, makes them an exciting fish to watch.
A Fun Fact: The Royal Dottyback’s bold colors are not just for show—they use their vibrant appearance to stake out and defend territories, particularly against other fish that enter their space. Despite their small size, these fish are known to stand their ground, even against larger tank mates.
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