Indigo dottyback
Pseudochromis hybrid
Also known as Electric Indigo Dottyback
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3 in
- 7.5 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Mostly peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Pseudochromidae
- Origin
- no natural occurrence
Overview
The indigo dottyback is an easygoing hybrid dottyback for a reef tank with plenty of rockwork. It is easy to keep.
Did you know
The indigo dottyback has a solid reputation as a bristleworm hunter. That gives it a working role in a reef tank on top of its color.
Caring for the indigo dottyback
Give an indigo dottyback a tank of at least 29 gal (110 L). Add live rock with plenty of crevices, and it settles in quickly. It hugs the rockwork and slips between caves rather than crossing open water.
Keep the water at 73 to 81°F (23 to 27°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. It takes mysis, brine shrimp and small pellets readily, and it patrols the rock for small worms and crustaceans.
The indigo dottyback combines the orchid dottyback's calm with the striped dottyback's tolerance of company, so small groups work in roomier tanks. It is reef safe, but like any dottyback it can squabble with other dottybacks or very similarly shaped fish. Choose its tank mates with caution.
Good to know
The indigo dottyback is a hybrid of the orchid dottyback, Pseudochromis fridmani, and the striped dottyback, Pseudochromis sankeyi. ORA produced it in 2006, the first captive-bred hybrid dottyback in the trade. Its indigo to lavender body carries dark stripes along the face and belly, a blend of both parents. ORA later selected a deeper blue line, sold as the Electric Indigo.
In the wild
The indigo dottyback occurs on no reef, since it is a captive-bred cross produced entirely in hatcheries. Its two parent species are native to the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Common questions
What size tank does an indigo dottyback need?
An indigo dottyback needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does an indigo dottyback need?
An indigo dottyback is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does an indigo dottyback eat?
An indigo dottyback takes mysis, brine shrimp and small pellets readily. It also patrols the rock for small worms and crustaceans.
How big does an indigo dottyback get?
An adult indigo dottyback reaches about 3 in (7.5 cm).
Related species
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Sankey's dottyback
Pseudochromis sankeyi
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)Sunrise dottyback
Pseudochromis flavivertex
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Diadem dottyback
Pseudochromis diadema
2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Orchid dottyback
Pseudochromis fridmani
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Springer's dottyback
Pseudochromis springeri
2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Neon dottyback
Pseudochromis aldabraensis
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)