Species Name: Pseudochromis fridmani

Authority: Klausewitz, 1968

Common Name: Orchid Dottyback

Range: Red Sea

Size: 3 inches - 7 cm

Natural Environment: Inhabits vertical rock walls or under overhang areas with lots of small caves and occur at depths between 3 to 180 feet (1 - 50 m)

General Husbandry: Prefer a temperature range of 72 - 81° F (22 - 27°C) and their natural diet consists mainly of zooplankton and benthic crustaceans. Finally a species in this genus I can highly recommend! This species is without question one that is well suited for the community tank and also easily adapts to reef aquariums, as it likes numerous places to hide and/or search for food. It rarely bothers other smaller fish, yet still somewhat has a 'dottyback’ mentality, nevertheless, absolutely the best of the bunch when it comes to temperament. It’s probably the most sort after dottyback species in the trade as its not only very pretty, but hardy and interesting to watch. As with other dottybacks, it’s a meat eater and should have at least one meal per day. If there is one drawback, it tends to jump out of aquariums, so an eggcrate cover over any open areas is probably a good idea. Provide numerous hiding places, and more than one can be kept in tanks larger than 100 gallons. Captive bred specimens are available. Feed enriched meaty/freeze-dried foodstuffs.

Aquarium Suitability: Easily maintained in the aquarium and good eradicator of small bristle worms.