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Home › Ocean Life › Marine Creatures › Vertebrates › Dottybacks

Interesting Facts about Dottybacks

[Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Actinopterygii] [Order: Blenniiformes] [Family: Pseudochromidae]

Many of these small flamboyant and spirited marine fishes can be territorial. Nonetheless, it's quite common to see some of the dottyback species being kept as pets in fish tanks.

This section contains fun facts about dottybacks (Pseudochromidae), including what they eat, where they live, and how they reproduce.

Habitat and Distribution of Dottybacks Fish

If you enjoy snorkel swimming or keeping fish as a hobby, you might have already seen dottybacks.

In the wild, they are native to tropical and some subtropical waters, but especially around the shallow coral reef environments of:

• The Red Sea
• Indonesia (e.g. Bali dive sites)
• Great Barrier Reef
• Indian and Pacific Oceans

You may also find the dottyback fish species living in some temperate waters of marine habitats around the world (e.g. water temperatures ranging between 22° and 25° Celsius).

Pro Tip: The fish family Pseudochromidae is a large and diverse group that includes more than 150 different types of dottybacks. As a consequence, dottybacks are popular in the aquarium trade and kept as colourful pets in many small and medium-sized aquariums.

Dotty Back Behaviour and Characteristics

It's fair to say the most striking feature of all dottyback fishes is an intensity of colouration. For example, the body colour of the orchid dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) is vivid violet with a narrow black stripe running over its head.

Hence, having body colours of bold purples (fuschia and magenta), glowing reds, deep blues, and bright yellows, means they are a popular choice when setting up a beginner fish tank.

Even though most of the dottyback species are brightly coloured, there are striking differences between males and females, a phenomenon called sexual dimorphism.

They are characterised from other similar fish species by the dorsal spines (usually 3 or less). In addition, their lateral line organ is incomplete.

How big do dottybacks get?

Almost all dottyback species are small, rarely growing more than eight (8) centimetres long (4 inches). Their body shape is best described as elongated with a prominent dorsal fin (similar to the basslet fish species).

They are small enough to hide inside the crevices and underneath the ledges of coral reef formations. Yet, they are quite a territorial feisty fish species and they can also be somewhat aggressive in nature - especially the males.

Fun Fact: Despite its snake-like appearance, the carpet eel-blenny (Congrogadus subducens) is the largest of all dottybacks and can grow to be forty five (45) centimetres long (18 inches).

What Do Dottybacks Eat?

When kept in a fish tank, these miniature carnivores can be fed on a variety of meaty foods, especially brine and mysis shrimp, or finely chopped seafood.

Outside of captivity, most types of dottyback get their nourishment by feeding on tiny saltwater crustaceans and most small size invertebrates.

Hence, their preferred daily intake is likely to include:

• Bristle worms
• Copepods
• Crabs
• Sea urchins
• Shrimps
• Snails
• Zooplankton

Dottyback Fish Species List

Lifespan and Reproduction of Dottybacks

The spawning season for species that live in tropical water may occur at any time during the year. However, those that inhabit subtropical and temperate areas tend to wait for the warmer months to spawn.

When the breeding season arrives, dottyback fish are oviparous, which means the female lays eggs. The males guard the eggs until they hatch - usually scattered in various cavities in the reef.

The larvae become part of the plankton bloom for the first few weeks. Then, they should have grown large enough to join the adult community.

Threats and Predators

According to the endangered species red list, the current conservation status of most dottyback species is of "Least Concern".

Despite that, some of the major contributing factors for the decline in certain vulnerable areas include:

• Ocean acidification
• Habitat destruction
• Coral reef destruction
• Overfishing

Dottybacks live for about seven (7) years when kept in captive environments. Even so, they have an important ecological role in their natural habitats, including:

• Helping to control excessive populations of small invertebrates and fish.
• Contributing to the delicate balance of coral reef ecosystems.
• Dottybacks are popular prey for moray eels and larger fish. As a result, they are a vital part of the food chain.

Fun Fact: In general, most aquarium enthusiasts find dottybacks easy fish to take care of and often breed them in captivity.

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