Neon dottyback
Pseudochromis aldabraensis
Also known as Aldabra Dottyback, Orange Dottyback, Neon Pseudochromis
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Aggressive
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Own kind
- One per tank
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe with caution
- Family
- Pseudochromidae
- Origin
- Western Indian Ocean, from the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea to the Aldabra area; captive-bred stock is widely available
Overview
The neon dottyback is a bold reef fish that patrols its own territory among the rocks. It is easy to keep, though it is aggressive toward other fish.
Did you know
The neon dottyback's taste for bristleworms makes it a useful natural check on those pests. The same appetite is why small ornamental shrimp can be at risk.
Caring for the neon dottyback
Give the neon dottyback a tank of at least 29 gal (110 L), with abundant live rock arranged into caves. It wants a cave it can claim and guard as its home. Keep the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4.
The neon dottyback is a bold, hardy carnivore that eats small crustaceans and worms. It is genuinely aggressive, especially toward smaller or newly added fish and other dottybacks. Add it late and keep only one per tank. Captive-bred fish are generally less aggressive than wild-caught ones, a common pattern across the dottybacks.
Reef keepers rate it reef safe with caution. It will not harm corals, but larger specimens can hunt down small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans. Skip it in a tank built around delicate cleaner or sexy shrimp. Breeding it is rated medium.
Good to know
Pseudochromis aldabraensis is a bright orange dottyback with electric blue lines on the head and fins. Like other members of its family, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite. It is bred in captivity by facilities such as ORA, and captive-bred stock is widely available. It also goes by the Aldabra dottyback and the orange dottyback.
In the wild
The neon dottyback lives on rocky, rubble-strewn reefs in the western Indian Ocean. Its range runs from the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea to the Aldabra area. It holds a territory around a cave or crevice and defends it against intruders. It stays close to cover, patrolling a small home range.
Common questions
What size tank does a neon dottyback need?
A neon dottyback needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a neon dottyback need?
A neon dottyback is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a neon dottyback eat?
A neon dottyback is a bold, hardy carnivore that eats small crustaceans and worms.
How big does a neon dottyback get?
An adult neon dottyback reaches about 3.5 in (9 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)
3 in (7.5 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Indigo dottyback
Pseudochromis hybrid
3 in (7.5 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)