The Orchid Dottybacks are one of the most beautiful fishes you will find in most aquariums! These marine animals are found in the Red Sea and their deep purple color can leave anyone awestruck!
That is why many people search on the internet for these beautiful marine fishes! If you are one of these people, welcome!
Here in this article, we will provide every little and in-depth information about Orchid Dottybacks.
So, what is so special about Orchid Dottybacks?
Orchid Dottybacks are extremely hardy when it comes to keeping at reef aquariums. Basically, if you are a beginner and want to fill up your aquarium, these Orchid Dottybacks are the best option! Honestly, it takes very little maintenance to keep Orchid Dottybacks in your aquarium.
But saying that will not give you any slack, we know! Because even though they require little care, you still need to ensure proper care. The best thing here is to replicate their natural habitat when they are in captivity.
Speaking of natural habitat, we have mentioned it for you just below. For now, let’s take a peek at the “At a Glance” section-
Orchid Dottyback At a Glance
In the table, you will find every little detail about the Orchid Dottybacks-
| Size | 2-3” |
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive. (Aggressive when Territorial) |
| Tank Size | 30-gallons (Minimum) |
| Diet | Carnivorous (Meaty Items) |
| Color | Deep Purple |
| Life Span | 5-7 years |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Captive-Bred | Yes |
| Scientific Name | “Pseudochormis fridmani” |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Genus | Pseudochromis |
| Class | Actinopterygii |
| Family | Pseudochromidae |
| Originated In | Red Sea |
Some Interesting Facts about the Orchid Dottybacks Fishes
Below, we will run a checklist of some of the interesting facts about Orchid Dottybacks. Let’s begin-
- They usually munch on Carnivores only.
- The average size of their litter is 100s.
- They come in the color- Deep Purple and have Black Stripes.
- Their skin types are scales.
- Lionfish, Eels, and Triggers are their threats.
- These marine animals are found across all aquariums.
- The red sea, Asia, and Africa are where they are found.
- They belong to the Kingdom- Animalia.
- Their Genus is Pseudochromis and Class- Actinopterygii and they belong to the Family- Pseudochromidae.
What Does the Natural Habitat of Orchid Dottyback Look Like?
Now that you have some idea about these marine animals, it’s time we provide some sort of ideas about their habitat.
First off, the Orchid Dottybacks are found in the “Red Sea”. These animals live in colonies.
Usually, Orchid Dottybacks are found at a 1-60m of depth. They make their homes inside crevices and smaller holes. However, their preferences are for overhangs or over rock faces.
Besides these, the Orchid Dottybacks are quite protective when it comes to their hiding places. Here, they will protect their places whenever a “clutch of eggs” is there!
What Does Orchid Dottyback Eat? [A List of their Food]
Almost all the time, Orchid Dottybacks love munching over shrimp. Added to that, they accept meaty items like Brine shrimps, Mysis shrimps, and even Krills.
And, if you are keeping them as pets (spoiler alert, yes, you can keep them as pets), they’ll accept flake foods. Besides that, you can provide pellets, and frozen aquarium foods as long as they are meaty.
Furthermore, Orchid Dottybacks will even consume bristle worms inside the tanks when they are present in aquariums. If you ever see worm spines from the faces of Orchid Dottyback’s faces, don’t worry!
It is completely fine and your Dottybacks will not bother about it. Also, the spines disappear after some days. So, no worries here!
Is the Orchid Dottyback Endangered Or Not?
No! Orchid Dottybacks are not endangered. They have predators like larger fishes- Lionfishes. But, they usually hide away in their small holes whenever predators approach them.
Besides that, they are not extinct or endangered as off yet!
What is the Size of an Orchid Dottyback?
Orchid Dottybacks are smaller marine creatures! They are usually 2-3 inches in size. And, they originated in the “Red Sea”.
How Long Do Orchid Dottyback Live? [Their Lifespan]
Orchid Dottybacks live between 5-7 years. Even in captivity, the same goes for when they live in natural conditions. But, if you take proper care of these marine animals then they can live some years more than that.
Usually, if you can match them with their natural habitat when keeping them in aquariums, they will live well. But, when you are not taking proper care of them and not maintaining them, they will not live for long.
So, the key to ensuring that your Orchid Dottybacks live their best life is to ensure that you take good care of them in captivity.
Is the Orchid Dottyback Aggressive or Not?
Yes! Orchid Dottybacks can be a little aggressive. Usually, they get aggressive over territories and around other fish!
But, they are not always like that! Here, these fishes will get territorial and aggressive only when they get closer to other fishes. That said, this problem can be easily avoided when you get yourself a larger tank!
Other than that, the Orchid Dottybacks are shy, at first, when they are first brought inside the aquariums. In fact, you will find these fishes hiding in the crevices and rockwork.
Is the Orchid Dottyback Hardy or Not?
Yes! Orchid Dottyback is a hardy fish!
Before clarifying further and explaining, even more, you first need to know what the term “hardy” even means. Well, hardy fishes are those fishes that can easily be maintained inside an aquarium.
It does not matter if you are going for a typical home aquarium or a reef aquarium, these fishes can adjust. Also, added that the fish can even adapt to a wider range of parameters.
Now, on to the topic of whether Orchid Dottybacks are hardy or not, yes, they are quite hardy!
Usually, the Orchid Dottybacks do not have many requirements! And, you do not have to worry a lot about their maintenance as well.
In fact, having these much fewer demands and even lesser requirements makes these fishes an excellent choice for reef aquariums. They are even ideal when it comes to cycling inside aquariums.
Do Orchid Dottybacks Lay Eggs?
Yes! Orchid Dottybacks lay eggs just like the other family members of “Pseudochromidae”. Here, the fishes lay eggs in masses. Also, the eggs are held together closely by a filamentous thread instead of a substrate.
This entire mass of eggs is deposited in caves and small nooks. Naturally, these eggs are looked after by the males. Usually, the eggs will hatch in 3-4 days. (approx.) After this process, they will become larvae for around 28-30 days.
How Do Orchid Dottybacks Start to Lay Eggs?
The Orchid Dottybacks bred in captivity! This means any 2 fishes are supposed to be able to unite into a breeding pair. But, this process will be much easier if these pairs get along with one another easily.
Once the pair has bonded with one another, they will start spawning. And, you can expect this pair to repeat and start the spawning process again every week.
Here, the larvae will start to hatch on the fourth night and will settle till the 4th week.
Is the Orchid Dottyback Edible Or Not?
No! There has not been any practice of eating the Orchid Dottyback. So, you should not consume it.
These beautiful fishes are there for you to admire their beauty and they do not deserve to be on your dinner plate. As long as toxins go, these fishes are not toxic and you will not die from eating them.
Can Orchid Dottyback be Kept As Pets?
Yes! Orchid Dottyback can be kept as pets. But, you will have to think and organize a lot of factors when keeping them as pets. Because these are not fishes that you can just throw in aquariums and forget about!
Even though Orchid Dottybacks have lesser maintenance and requirements, you still need to take care of them. We will provide a complete guide about maintenance and taking care of them in the next section.
For now, what we would say is that Orchid Dottyback is a docile and shy fish! And, owners should choose them specifically with similar species.
Because if Orchid Dottybacks are kept with other aggressive fishes, that will be harmful to them. That is why when you are choosing other species to be with Orchid Dottybacks in an aquarium, you need to be careful!
A Complete A-Z Aquarium Guide of Orchid Dottyback
We gave a fair bit of warning in the previous segment about how the owners should be more careful when choosing Orchid Dottybacks! In this segment, we will elaborate on and explain everything. So, let’s start off with-
Choosing the Species of Orchid Dottybacks
Usually, there are more than 50 species of Orchid Dottybacks in the entire world. But, you can not keep all of them in your aquariums. Because not all of them will suit right.
Even though Orchid Dottybacks are hardy fishes, all the species will not suit nicely. Sure, you can keep them. But, it is you who will have the trouble!
So, keeping all the debates and arguments aside, the best species recommended for community tanks are the “Fridman’s Dottyback P. Fridmani”.
These species are the “Best Suited” and they are from the Red Sea’s northern region. The body of the fish has black stripes running down from the lip.
Also, there are black stripes through the eyes to the overall edge. Furthermore, there is even a bluish spot on the cover of the gills.
The part that makes these species the most suitable is their temperament. It is the most hardy and the “captive-bred” specimens are available as well.
There is just one small problem that owners have complained about this species. That is, the fishes jump out of the tanks. But, that too can be solved if you cover the open areas.
Selecting Other Fishes with the Orchid Dottyback
It is quite normal for you to select mates for your Orchid Dottyback. But, is there any requirement for that?
Well, you can not just add in another newer Dottyback inside the tank when there is already a mature one living there. Because a fight will break out over territory and one of those fish will die.
That is why it is better if you add both Dottybacks at the same time. This way, there would be no fights over territory.
As long as other fishes go, Orchid Dottybacks live well with most fishes. But, the best teammates would be “Larger Angelfish, Hawkfish, Tangs, and even Larger Damselfish”.
These fish should be introduced at the end. Otherwise, they could show aggression.
Besides, the Orchid Dottybacks are fast and aggressive themselves. So, adding slow and docile fish will not be that much of a good combination.
Also, you can add Orchid Dottybacks with corals and other invertebrates. That will not be harmful to the Dottybacks.
Aquarium Size
Next up, we need to look at the sizes of the aquariums. Even though the Orchid Dottyback is a smaller-sized fish, you will need a bigger tank for them.
To be precise, getting a 30-gallon tank would do. And, if you want, you can choose an even bigger tank.
Breeding Factor
Orchid Dottybacks are captive-bred. This has made their cost come down as well.
Now, when you have managed a pair inside your aquarium, spawning is supposed to happen on a regular basis.
But, for that, you need to ensure that you have the “right” water condition. Added to that, you even need to manage a nutritious diet higher in value.
Here, the males will themselves court the female. When it is accepted, the females will deposit the eggs inside of the male territories for them to fertilize.
Later, the males will take care of the eggs till they hatch within 4-5 days.
Maintenance Factor
Even though maintenance is not that much of an issue, you just need to ensure a balanced and healthy diet. Plus, an overall well-maintained aquarium will be better.
But, let’s get you through some of the things you have to maintain regularly.
First off, you need to ensure that the entire tank is cleaned at least once a week. Added to that, you need to perform partial changes of water regularly.
Because Orchid Dottybacks will not pick up any diseases when the tank is clean.
Here, using water testing kits will help you spot changes inside the parameters of water. And, you can take action quickly as well.
Besides, if the fishes get sick inside the tank, you will have to quarantine them. Next, treat the diseases of those fish and then return them back to the original tank.
To summarize, they do not require any fancy maintenance. But, make a list of their maintenance factors. That will surely help you in the long run and will help these fishes to get the best life!
Ending Note
That was everything we had in your basket about the Orchid Dottyback. If you have read everything in this informative guide, great job! You know more than most people about these fishes.
And, you can even educate others on the maintenance, diet, and breeding of these fishes. Just make sure that you are selecting the right tank mates and an overall larger tank for them to live in.
Otherwise, these fishes will not survive for long. Remember, creating the best environment for these fishes will give them the best life!
Good luck!
