Pseudochromis coccinicauda

(Tickell, 1888)

Orangetail Dottyback

Range: Western Indian Ocean: Maldives, Andaman Islands and Indonesia.

Size: 3 inches (8 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits crevices in shallow rocky and coral reefs and is found at depths between 3 – 30 feet (1 – 10 m) where it feeds mainly on small crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade, with males generally bluish grey overall, except with somewhat pale yellow on the lower head and front portion of the body. Females and juveniles similar in color, except the tail is orange/yellow.

Can be maintained in a reef or fish-only aquarium, with either having many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter when needing to do so, as this species is extremely shy/secretive. Will continue to hide and only leave hiding places to feed. Even then, due to its shyness, may starve to death if the aquarium has slightly aggressive tankmates. Will never become a more outgoing/social tankmate, i.e., swimming in the open with other tankmates.

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 chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed once daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Pseudochromidae

Subfamily: Pseudochrominae

Genus: Pseudochromis

FYI: Not safe with small ornamental crustaceans.

Since they are extremely fast moving and secretive, if having to remove it from a reef aquarium with many hiding areas, it would be a major task!

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: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons

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

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5