Neon Dottyback
Pseudochromis aldabraensis
A strikingly coloured, hardy marine fish known for its vivid orange body and neon blue stripes, but notorious for its aggressive territoriality.
Ideal Conditions
- Temperature
- 23 – 28 °C
- pH range
- 8.1 – 8.4
- Hardness
- 8 – 12 dGH
- Salinity
- 1.02 – 1.025 SG
- Adult size
- 7 – 10 cm
- Minimum for community
- 110 litres+
- Lifespan
- 5 – 7 years
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Water flow
- Moderate
- Preferred setup
- Abundant live rock with networks of caves and crevices
About the Neon Dottyback
The Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis aldabraensis) is undeniably one of the most visually captivating additions to a marine aquarium. Sporting a bright orange or yellow-orange body accented by electric blue dorsal and facial stripes, it brings a vibrant splash of colour to reef setups. However, this small fish packs a mighty punch; it is highly territorial and unapologetically aggressive towards perceived intruders in its rocky domain. While beautifully alluring, it requires careful consideration when planning a community tank.
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Where Neon Dottyback comes from
Native range
Western Indian Ocean, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman
Countries / regions
United Arab Emirates, Oman, Pakistan, India, Seychelles
Habitat
Coral and rocky reefs, typically dwelling in crevices, rubble zones, and at the bases of branching corals.
Widely distributed in the north-western Indian Ocean; heavily aquacultured for the aquarium trade.
Similar species
Dutoit's Dottyback
Pseudochromis dutoiti
Orchid Dottyback
Pseudochromis fridmani
Diadem Dottyback
Pseudochromis diadema
Bicolor Dottyback
Pictichromis paccagnellae
We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.
Compatible tank mates
Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.
- Great
Yellow Tang
Zebrasoma flavescens
Large, robust, and occupies the upper water column, making it immune to the dottyback's territorial rockwork disputes.
- Great
Coral Beauty Angelfish
Centropyge bispinosa
Sturdy enough to stand its ground and typically ignores the dottyback, avoiding serious conflict.
- Compatible with caution
Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Adult clownfish can generally hold their own, especially if hosting an anemone, but juveniles may be relentlessly bullied.
- Compatible with caution
Cleaner Shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Adult cleaner shrimp are sometimes tolerated, but there is always a risk the dottyback will prey upon them, particularly after a moult.
- Not recommended
Firefish
Nemateleotris magnifica
Docile, small, and easily stressed. A Neon Dottyback will actively hunt and harass dartfish and small gobies to death.
- Not recommended
Royal Gramma
Gramma loreto
Occupies the exact same rockwork niche and shares a similar body shape; the two will fight severely.
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