The Orchid Dottyback is commonly known as he Fridman’s Dottyback, or Fridman’s Pseudochromis, or the Purple Dottyback. They originate from the Red Sea, where they like to hang around vertical rock faces.
These intensely, purple coloured fish may be beautiful, but they can become tank terrors! They are considered reef safe, but they can become aggressive to the more timid fish in your system, especially when it comes to defending their preferred hiding space.
It is for this reason that when you decide to add an Orchid Dottyback to your aquarium, they should be the last addition to the tank, so all of your other fish have a chance to claim their territories first.
They are best kept in aquariums with fish that are not afraid to stand up for themselves, Tangs, Angelfish and other semi-aggressive species tend to make better tank mates.
Interestingly, the Orchid Dottyback is born as females. They can then change to males, when the situation is required. Once they have changed into a male, they can not change back to a female.
They will not tolerate being in groups, though very large tanks with broken views through the tank may be able to sustain multiple occupants, extreme caution should be taken when trying to achieve this though.
They are known to hunt smaller Bristleworms, Fan Worms, and some smaller, ornamental shrimp. Though it is common for them to leave shrimp alone if the tank is well fed.
Tank Requirements & Facts
- Minimum tank size: 20 Gallon (90 Litres)
- Prone to disease: No, these are hardy little fish
- Beginner Compatible: Yes
- Adult Size: 3 inches (7.5cm)
- Reef Compatible: Yes
- Predator Tank Compatible: No
- Care Level: Easy
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Temperature: 24°C to 27°C
- Preferred Tank Level: Any
- Lots of hiding places required
- Number to a tank: To be kept singularly.
Feeding
Orchid Dottybacks are considered easy to care for and will take most foods put into the aquarium. A variety of meaty and flaked foods will see them do well.
- These are carnivores
- A varied diet will help with health
- They are fast eaters
- Live foods, frozen foods, pellets and flake will all be accepted
Acclimatisation
Place your fish in the bucket and then drip acclimate for about 60 minutes at a rate of 3 drips per second. This should bring the fishes water parameters in line with your tanks parameters.
Once your fish has been drip acclimated, catch the fish with a net and place it gently into your tank. Do not put any of the water the fish originally came in, into your tank.
Care should be taken after adding the fish to ensure there is a tightly fitting lid on the aquarium at all times. These fish are known jumpers, so a tight fitting lid is required.
Donations
This website is expensive to run in both monetary value and time. If you like what you see, and find this site helpful, please consider donating towards the running costs of the site.
