Purple Dottyback - Medium

Purple Dottyback

This species is a vivid purple or magenta colour and it has a distinctive blue circle around its eye.

It is possible to breed them in an aquarium, but the tank needs to be sufficiently large. This is because they are territorial and aggressive to conspecifics. It is advised to house 2 unequally sized Dottybacks if attempting to get a pair. They are protogynous hermaphrodites, so the females can change sex to become male. When reproducing, the female will deposit eggs in a small crevice or cave which the male will guard.

Purple Dottybacks are found in the Indo-Pacific area, around Indonesia, Philippines, Samoa, Fiji, and New Caledonia. Their usual habitat is on steep outer reefs and channels, to a depth of 65 meters.

Tank Recommendations for Purple Dottyback

The minimum recommended tank size is 114 liters (30 gallons).

Purple Dottybacks are best suited to a reef environment with plenty of live rock. They can be quite elusive and will need plenty of caves and hiding places. A secure tank cover is also needed as they can jump out of the aquarium.

Suitable Tank Buddies

Purple Dottybacks are a semi-aggressive species that will co-habit better with larger semi-aggressive fish. They will show aggression to conspecifics and other fish of a similar shape. This can make them are unsuitable for a peaceful community tank.

Usually Compatible

Suitable tank buddies for Purple Dottybacks include Tangs or Surgeons, Squirrelfish, Grunts or Sweetlips, Gobies, and Small Angels.

Sometime Compatible

Aquarists should monitor Dottybacks that co-habit with conspecifics. If a tank is big enough it may be possible to house a pair. A group of Dottybacks should enter the tank at the same time. Care is also advisable with Large Angels, Batfish, Blennies, Cardinals, Dragonets, Hogfish, Parrotfish, and Wrasse.

Rarely Compatible

The general recommendation is to avoid housing with conspecifics, although monitoring mates and groups is possible. Avoid larger aggressive fish such as Anglers or Frogfish, Basslets, Eels, Groupers, Lions or Scorpions, Triggers, Sharks, and Rays.

Feeding Your Purple Dottyback

Purple Dottybacks are carnivores. A suitable diet should include finely chopped meaty products. This includes vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, finely chopped meaty products such as krill, clams, squid, and mussels. They will also consume flake food and pellets. To maintain a vibrant body colour use food containing carotenoids and colour enhancers. Feeding should occur 1 or 2 times per day.