Strawberry Dottyback

Strawberry Dottyback Temperament

 

Like others of its kind, the Strawberry Dottyback can be an elusive creature, preferring to hide in the cracks and crevices of their aquarium. At maturity these fish are approximately 2.5" when full grown, and can be quite aggressive toward other dottybacks and toward other fish and more mild mannered species, and they should be carefully monitored in the restricted confines of a small tank. Great care should be taken to ensure that the Strawberry Dottyback is in a stable environment, and should not be added to peaceful community aquariums.

 

Strawberry Dottyback Appearance

 

The appearance of the Strawberry Dottyback is quite attractive., and is commonly mistaken for the Orchid Dottyback. This species lacks the black stripe across the eye and dark purple fins. It is also a brighter purple over its darker and subdued Orchid cousin. It is an excellent addition to an aggressive reef community where the Strawberry Dottyback will be the smallest fish in the tank.

Feeding Strawberry Dottyback

Strawberry Dottyback, like others of its species, 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. Strawberry Dottyback can also benefit from the occasionally supplementation with some sort of herbivore diet. They prefer meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafoods, small crustaceans and zooplankton.

Life Expectancy and Health of Strawberry Dottybacks

When good tank keeping practices are followed and ample nutrients and food are regularly provided, Strawberry Dottyback can easily live several years in a marine aquarium environment. They are healthiest when kept in low lighting with adequate tank filtration. Tank size should be no smaller than 24 gallons.

Breeding Strawberry 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 Strawberry 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.