Oxycercichthys veliferus

(Lubbock 1980)

Sailfin Dottyback

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits sandy areas around rock and coral formations in coastal lagoons and reefs from 30 to 100 feet (10 – 30 m) where it feeds on small worms, fishes, and crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade, with males having a pink body with a bluish head and dorsal fin that has a dark spot on its frontal area, and yellow pectoral, anal and tail fins. Juveniles and females are pinkish overall with yellow on the top of the head and front dorsal fin.

Can be maintained in a reef or fish-only aquarium having rocky hiding places/crevices as this species will select a protective area and guard it against all comers, large or small. Will remain somewhat secretive and is a threat to smaller fishes and may also eat ornamental shrimps. Yet long-term, will get along with larger peaceful and/or slightly aggressive tankmates unless they try to enter its home space.

As to diet, products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should make up the majority of their diet. Therefore a meaty diet such as enriched finely chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pseudochromidae

Subfamily: Pseudochrominae

Genus: Oxycercichthys

FYI: Not safe with smaller fishes and crustaceans.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Moderately aggressive

Minimum Tank Size: 50+ gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5