dottyback and psuedochromis

gdavis17 · 05/08/2007, 08:10 AM

I have a pretty simple question. I know dottybacks will fight with other dottybacks, but what about with pseudochromis? Are they the same species? The reason I ask, is because I have a magenta pseudochomis (always been extremely peaceful) and wonder how it would act with a sunrise dottyback. I have a 30 cube with about 40 # of live rock.

sr3w · 05/08/2007, 09:04 AM

Hey hey - so unless I'm missing something grossly arcane and superficially inconsistent with taxonomy, all the dottybacks are pseudochromids. "Dottyback" seems to be a common association with the genus "Pseudochromis."

But as for the mixing, I'd say don't do it. I once was forced by circumstance to put a neon dottyback in with an orchid, and the orchid got trashed. I've never had a magenta, but all I've read has suggested that orchids are less feisty than them. I'm not sure how the sunrise compares to the neon, though, so if I were a betting man, I'd put it on the sunrise winning in the fifth round.

And I know it doesn't need to be said, but sometimes you get the oddball couple that don't spit fire at each other. I hope that helps at least a little?

sean48183 · 05/08/2007, 09:07 AM

In a 30 I wouldn't do it. I have a purple psuedo and he is comparable with a damsel. In fact he is in a 50g with 2 damsels and a tomato and he hangs no problem.

Vitaly · 05/08/2007, 09:26 AM

gdavis17,

Dottyback is the common name for fishes in the Pseudochromidae Family. Thus a Magenta Dottyback is systematically known as Pseudochromis porphyreus and the Sunrise Dottyback is systematically known as Pseudochromis flavivertix.

I think it is a highly unadvisable and dangerous to mix them in a 55 gallon tank as they will be constantly battling for territory. If your tank was huge, perhaps 300+ gallons and filled with a large amount of live rock, you oculd maybe have the two peacefully co-exist.

I have an Orchid Dottyback (P. fridmani) my 65 gallon, which are described as the most peaceful of the family, and he is steadfast in keeping fish away from his rock territory.

I would refer you to this article by Henry Schultz for more information about the Family.

The Dottybacks
by Henry Schultz III
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...hcs3/index.php

Good luck...

gdavis17 · 05/08/2007, 09:28 AM

Thanks for the info. Back to the drawing board with the last addition to my livestock. My current inhabitants are: 2 maroon clowns, a LMB, and a purple pseudochromis. It seems I need a fish that can hold his own, but not to aggressive. Any good suggestions? I would love something with some great coloration and doesn't spend 90% of it's life hiding in the LR.

Vitaly · 05/08/2007, 09:33 AM

gdavis17....take a look at the article, there are some recommendations for fish compatibility there.

I would think that a chromis (blue, blue-green, blue-yellow) would be a reasonable tankmate. They would co-exist with the clowns, blenny and should be able to hold their own with the dottyback.

Also, a neon goby or two should be a safe bet. They are small fish and are usually seldom picked on as they are recognized as cleaner fish.

05/08/2007, 08:10 AM	#1
gdavis17 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Muncie, Indiana Posts: 496	dottyback and psuedochromis I have a pretty simple question. I know dottybacks will fight with other dottybacks, but what about with pseudochromis? Are they the same species? The reason I ask, is because I have a magenta pseudochomis (always been extremely peaceful) and wonder how it would act with a sunrise dottyback. I have a 30 cube with about 40 # of live rock. __________________ Half of my life is perfect because if I think about it I'm either at work or in front of my tank. Current Tank Info: 30 cube, 40# lr, 30# ls, misc. softies, 2 maroon clowns, lawnmower blenny

05/08/2007, 09:04 AM	#2
sr3w Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Charlottesville, VA Posts: 114	Hey hey - so unless I'm missing something grossly arcane and superficially inconsistent with taxonomy, all the dottybacks are pseudochromids. "Dottyback" seems to be a common association with the genus "Pseudochromis." But as for the mixing, I'd say don't do it. I once was forced by circumstance to put a neon dottyback in with an orchid, and the orchid got trashed. I've never had a magenta, but all I've read has suggested that orchids are less feisty than them. I'm not sure how the sunrise compares to the neon, though, so if I were a betting man, I'd put it on the sunrise winning in the fifth round. And I know it doesn't need to be said, but sometimes you get the oddball couple that don't spit fire at each other. I hope that helps at least a little? __________________ Maroon pair and a tiny tank. Current Tank Info: Nada. That's about to change.

05/08/2007, 09:26 AM	#4
Vitaly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 1,300	gdavis17, Dottyback is the common name for fishes in the Pseudochromidae Family. Thus a Magenta Dottyback is systematically known as Pseudochromis porphyreus and the Sunrise Dottyback is systematically known as Pseudochromis flavivertix. I think it is a highly unadvisable and dangerous to mix them in a 55 gallon tank as they will be constantly battling for territory. If your tank was huge, perhaps 300+ gallons and filled with a large amount of live rock, you oculd maybe have the two peacefully co-exist. I have an Orchid Dottyback (P. fridmani) my 65 gallon, which are described as the most peaceful of the family, and he is steadfast in keeping fish away from his rock territory. I would refer you to this article by Henry Schultz for more information about the Family. The Dottybacks by Henry Schultz III http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/20...hcs3/index.php Good luck... __________________ Vitaly A. Stepensky Current Tank Info: 110 gallon reef

05/08/2007, 09:28 AM	#5
gdavis17 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Muncie, Indiana Posts: 496	Thanks for the info. Back to the drawing board with the last addition to my livestock. My current inhabitants are: 2 maroon clowns, a LMB, and a purple pseudochromis. It seems I need a fish that can hold his own, but not to aggressive. Any good suggestions? I would love something with some great coloration and doesn't spend 90% of it's life hiding in the LR. __________________ Half of my life is perfect because if I think about it I'm either at work or in front of my tank. Current Tank Info: 30 cube, 40# lr, 30# ls, misc. softies, 2 maroon clowns, lawnmower blenny

05/08/2007, 09:33 AM	#6
Vitaly Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 1,300	gdavis17....take a look at the article, there are some recommendations for fish compatibility there. I would think that a chromis (blue, blue-green, blue-yellow) would be a reasonable tankmate. They would co-exist with the clowns, blenny and should be able to hold their own with the dottyback. Also, a neon goby or two should be a safe bet. They are small fish and are usually seldom picked on as they are recognized as cleaner fish. __________________ Vitaly A. Stepensky Current Tank Info: 110 gallon reef Last edited by Vitaly; 05/08/2007 at 09:48 AM.

05/08/2007, 09:07 AM	#3
sean48183 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: michigan Posts: 1,577	In a 30 I wouldn't do it. I have a purple psuedo and he is comparable with a damsel. In fact he is in a 50g with 2 damsels and a tomato and he hangs no problem.