ORA Orchid Dottyback

Quick Stats

• Care Level: Easy
• Diet: Carnivore
• Temperament: Semi-Aggressive
• Reef-Safe: Yes
• Source: Captive Bred
• Approximate Purchase Size: 1.25-1.5"
• Approximate Max Size: 3"
• Recommended Tank Size: 20 Gallons or Larger

Overview

This fish is shipped directly to you with exceptional care and high-grade packaging specifically made for live animals from our partner, ORA. This animal is certified by the Mr. Chili Sustainability Alliance, meaning it is sustainably bred, was raised with exceptional husbandry practices, and 2% of net proceeds will be donated to support Ocean Conservation.

The Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) is found only in the Red Sea. They’re observed in colonies near vertical walls or ledges, where they dart out to grab a meal from the passing zooplankton, then rush back. In the wild they are found at moderate to deep depths, and look blue rather than the magenta or violet color most aquarists are used to. This is due to the filtering of red light by seawater.

In aquariums, Orchid Dottybacks are quite easy to keep and feed. They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Orchid Dottybacks are moderately territorial and more than one can be kept per tank, as long as the tank has plenty of hiding spaces. Adding multiple small individuals at once will likely result in a spawning harem.

Note: Image is a representation of what to expect. The fish you receive may vary slightly in appearance.

Aquarium Requirements

Aquarium Size

More space is always beneficial, but a minimum tank size of 20 gallons is recommended for the Orchid Dottyback. A larger tank offers more stability in water parameters, which is beneficial for all inhabitants.

Habitat Recommendations

Orchid Dottybacks are quite adaptable but thrive best in an environment that mimics their natural habitat. Here’s how to set up their ideal home:

• Aquascaping: Incorporate plenty of live rock formations to create hiding spots. More live rock is especially helpful if keeping a group of these fish in the same tank. They spend a lot of their time in the rockwork, darting out to grab a quick meal.
• Substrate: This fish has no specific substrate requirements and can be kept in aquariums using sand of various grain sizes, crushed coral, or no substrate at all.

Water Parameters

Maintaining proper water parameters is crucial for the health and well-being of your fish. While Orchid Dottybacks are considered relatively hardy, providing a stable environment will allow them to thrive and stay healthy.

• Temperature: Keep the water temperature between 75-78°F. Stability is key, so use a reliable heater that can limit any temperature swings to about +/- 1°F or less.
• pH Level: This fish will do well in a wide pH range from about 7.7 to 8.5.
• Salinity: The specific gravity should be between 1.020-1.026 (27-35ppt). Use a refractometer to monitor salinity levels accurately.
• Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate: Ammonia and nitrite levels should be undetectable, while nitrate levels should be kept below 20 ppm. Regular water changes and proper filtration will help to achieve this.
• Water Flow: Moderate water movement is ideal. This is most often achieved by using powerheads in the aquarium to move water around. Adequate water flow helps push uneaten food and fish waste into your filtration and also keeps the water oxygenated.

Diet

Orchid Dottybacks are Carnivores, meaning they rely on meaty foods for their nutrition. This fish isn't typically a picky eater and will accept food in a variety of forms. 

Primary Diet

• Frozen Food: They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect.
• Pellet Food: High-Quality pellets are a great option. Dottybacks prefer to feed in the water column, rather than at the water surface, so neutrally buoyant or slow sinking pellets work best. Pellet foods are typically very nutrient dense, so care should be taken to avoid overfeeding the aquarium, which can contribute to poor water quality.
• Flake Food: Flake food isn't as popular of a choice among saltwater aquarists, but if you opt for a flake food, be sure to choose a marine-specific option that's formulated to meet the needs of saltwater fish.

Feeding Frequency

Feed your Orchid Dottyback at least once a day. For optimal health, try to offer small, frequent meals throughout the day-- 2-3 times is ideal if you can manage it. Your fish will probably always look hungry, so it can be hard to stop yourself from adding more food to the tank.

Compatibility

When it comes to tank mates, the Orchid Dottyback is considered semi-aggressive. While peaceful a majority of the time, they may chase off any smaller fish that approach their territory.

Common Tank Mates

Here are some ideal tank mates:

• Fish: Clownfish, Cardinalfish, most Wrasse, Tangs, Dwarf Angelfish, and other peaceful fish.
• Invertebrates: Dottybacks won't bother most invertebrates, so Cleaner Shrimp, Hermit Crabs, Snails, Urchins, and more are all safe to keep. Some hobbyists report that they are good bristle worm eaters.
• Coral: The Orchid Dottyback is considered Reef Safe and can be kept with Soft, LPS, or SPS coral.

Behavioral Notes

• Group Behavior: The Orchid Dottyback may show aggression towards its own species in smaller aquariums. With a larger tank and enough live rock, they can be kept in pairs or groups. If you'd like to keep multiple, it's a good idea to add them all at the same time.
• Jumping: Dottybacks are known to be jumpers, so a tight-fitting top is highly recommended.

Acclimation Process

Acclimation instructions are included in each box, but if you misplaced yours or want to know what to expect ahead of time, you can always find an extra copy here: Fish Acclimation Instructions