Saltcorner
By Bob Goemans
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Pseudochromis

Pseudochromis dixurus

Lubbock, 1975

Forktail Dottyback

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indian Ocean: Red Sea.

Size: 4 inches (9 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits caves in silty reef areas and is usually found between depths of 15 to 200 feet (5 – 60 m) where it feeds on small worms and crustaceans/zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Rarely ever seen in the trade due to its limited collection area. This attractive species has a greyish body with a central horizontal black band from the snout to the caudal peduncle, which also has a white band above and below. There is also a darkish yellow band just below the lower white band, with yellow on the caudal peduncle and tail.

Can be maintained in reef or fish-only aquariums having some rocky hiding places/crevices to take shelter, as this species is secretive and also somewhat aggressive. Tankmates should be moderately aggressive as this species cannot be trusted with smaller peaceful fishes.

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: 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: Moderately aggressive/aggressive

    Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons

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

    Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

    pH: 8.0 - 8.5

 Pseudochromis dixurus (Forktail Dottyback)
Photo © John Randall
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