Rose Island or Fine-scaled Dottyback ID

camaroracer214 · 04/26/2012, 08:58 PM

Hey all,

A couple of weeks ago, a local fish store ordered what they believed to be a Rose Island Dottyback (Pseudoplesiops rosae)...at least that's what it was labeled on their livestock sheet from the wholesaler. Since this dottyback is such a rare and beautiful fish, I couldn't pass it up. When I saw the fish at the store, I also believed it was a Rose Island, but after a few weeks of owning it, I'm starting to think it's a different species altogether. The fish has a pinkish red body with a yellow tail fin, which leads me to think it's actually a Fine-scaled Dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus).

Both species mentioned above are rare (I think the fine-scaled dottyback is actually rarer), and I'm completely happy with my purchase. But the same store contacted me again to see if I wanted to give my basslet a female companion, which I obviously couldn't pass up (picking it up this weekend), so I wanted to verify the species.

I'm thinking either way that the male and female will be of the same species, even if neither is of the Rose Island variety. My thought is that if the female is coming from the same supplier, it will be the same species as the male, regardless of the correct ID.

What do you guys think?

Here is my dottyback:

robs.mark · 04/27/2012, 02:04 AM

Try posting in the reef fish forum, you may have more luck. Beautiful fish.

camaroracer214 · 04/29/2012, 03:35 PM

after a bit more research, I've settled on this fish being a Fine-scale dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus)

eatbreakfast · 04/29/2012, 05:23 PM

Right you are on the id. Still a pretty cool pick up

04/26/2012, 08:58 PM	#1
camaroracer214 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Baytown, TX Posts: 332	Rose Island or Fine-scaled Dottyback ID Hey all, A couple of weeks ago, a local fish store ordered what they believed to be a Rose Island Dottyback (Pseudoplesiops rosae)...at least that's what it was labeled on their livestock sheet from the wholesaler. Since this dottyback is such a rare and beautiful fish, I couldn't pass it up. When I saw the fish at the store, I also believed it was a Rose Island, but after a few weeks of owning it, I'm starting to think it's a different species altogether. The fish has a pinkish red body with a yellow tail fin, which leads me to think it's actually a Fine-scaled Dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus). Both species mentioned above are rare (I think the fine-scaled dottyback is actually rarer), and I'm completely happy with my purchase. But the same store contacted me again to see if I wanted to give my basslet a female companion, which I obviously couldn't pass up (picking it up this weekend), so I wanted to verify the species. I'm thinking either way that the male and female will be of the same species, even if neither is of the Rose Island variety. My thought is that if the female is coming from the same supplier, it will be the same species as the male, regardless of the correct ID. What do you guys think? Here is my dottyback:

04/27/2012, 02:04 AM	#2
robs.mark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Perth, Australia Posts: 1,461	Try posting in the reef fish forum, you may have more luck. Beautiful fish. __________________ knowledge is power! Current Tank Info: Lagoon

04/29/2012, 03:35 PM	#3
camaroracer214 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Baytown, TX Posts: 332	after a bit more research, I've settled on this fish being a Fine-scale dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus)

04/29/2012, 05:23 PM	#4
eatbreakfast Registered Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: seymour, ct Posts: 1,636	Right you are on the id. Still a pretty cool pick up