Splendid Dottyback

Splendid Dottyback Temperament

 

Like others of its kind, the Splendid Dottyback can be an elusive creature, preferring to hide in the cracks and crevices of their aquarium. Sizing up to over 7"-8" when full grown, these fish can be quite aggressive than other dottybacks toward other fish and more mild mannered species, and two males should never be added to the restricted confines of a small tank. Great care should be taken to ensure that the Splendid Dottyback is in a stable environment, preferably the only one of its kind in any given aquarium, or introduced together with same species into the tank.

 

Splendid Dottyback Appearance

 

The appearance of the Magenta Dottyback rivals that of the Orchid Dottyback. The males are always brighter in coloration, though they have the same pattern as the females, a yellow and blue checkerboard across the body and fins, yellow tail and face with a black stripe running through the eye.. The Splendid Dottyback fish can be approximately 7"-8" in length when fully grown.

Feeding Splendid Dottyback

Splendid Dottyback are mostly carnivorous. When you're not supplementing their diet, they tend to dine on tiny sea creatures within the hard rock and coral, including bristleworms. Splendid Dottyback can be rather pugnacious, and will readily consume ornamental shrimp and will harass other small fish to death. They prefer meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafoods, small crustaceans and zooplankton.

Life Expectancy and Health of Splendid Dottybacks

When good tank keeping practices are followed and ample nutrients and food are regularly provided, Splendid Dottyback can easily live several years in a marine aquarium environment. They are healthiest when kept in low lighting with adequate tank filtration. Two males should never be placed in the same tank.

Breeding Splendid Dottyback

All dottybacks are hermaphrodites. Since each fish can adopt either male or female sexual organs, adding two like species in a tank together will result in a pair. Spawning Splendid Dottyback in home aquariums has become quite frequent, although those with an interest in raising them should do further research before attempting to raise the fry.