Dottybacks in Aquaculture Anna Hawkins DISL Aquaculture 2013

What are dottybacks? Ornamental aquarium fish Family Pseudochromidae ▫Genus Pseudochromis Found wild in coral reefs Aquaculture = CHEAPER Orchid dottyback, A. fridmani

Typical behavior Territorial of preferred home Tankmates determine aggressiveness May eat certain tankmates Hermaphroditic

Aquacultured Species Neon dottyback Scientific name: P. aldabraensis Aggressive – eats small fish and ornamental shrimp

Aquacultured Species Diadema dottyback Scientific name: P. diadema Semi-aggressive Needs lots of hiding spots

Aquacultured Species Elongate dottyback Scientific name: P. elongatus Much less aggressive Rarer variety

Aquacultured Species Sunrise dottyback Scientific name: P. flavivertex Moderately aggressive and territorial

Aquacultured Species Orchid dottyback Scientific name: A. fridmani Territorial More popular variety

Aquacultured Species Magenta dottyback Scientific name: P. porphyreus Similar to orchid dottyback

Aquacultured Species Striped dottyback Scientific name: P. sankeyi Tend to live in colonies; less aggressive

Aquacultured Species Indigo dottyback Scientific name: P. fridmani x sankeyi Retains mild behavior of striped dottyback

Aquacultured Species Bicolor dottyback Scientific name: P. paccagnellae Aggressive and territorial

Aquacultured Species Splendid dottyback Scientific name: M. splendens May eat small crustaceans Somewhat aggressive towards other fish

Aquacultured Species Springeri dottyback Scientific name: P. springeri Aggressive to conspecifics

Aquacultured Species Black margin dottyback Scientific name: P. tapeinosoma Very aggressive to conspecifics

Prices and where to buy them Wild-caught very expensive Price varies by species Most pet stores in the U.S. or online

Reproduction, Life Cycle, and Production Methods No more than one mated pair per tank! Females spawn 2-4 times per month Males care for eggs

Reproduction, Life Cycle, and Production Methods Females deposit egg mass in male’s nest Male intensively cares for eggs Eggs hatch in evening of 5 th day after spawning Orchid dottyback egg

Reproduction, Life Cycle, and Production Methods Larvae are completely transparent Kept separate from adults Very active and use entire water column Grow very quickly if fed and housed correctly Extreme closeup of a dottyback larva

Reproduction, Life Cycle, and Production Methods Day 9 – slight coloration Day 20 – presettlement juveniles, not larvae Day – juveniles begin to settle out Need hiding places to complete metamorphosis Juvenile dottybacks with hiding places, around days old

Reproduction, Life Cycle, and Production Methods Adult coloration develops within 7 days Don’t leave hiding place – eat whatever floats by Transferred to grow out tank after metamorphosis Rapid growth Juvenile dottybacks showing adult coloration

Feeds and Feeding Foods high in natural pigments preferable Frozen plankton, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, bloodworms, pellets and flakes are all good Live rock helps diet! Will supplement provided feed Neon dottyback, P. aldabraensis

Water Chemistry and Environment Salt water REQUIRED! Need hiding places and low light pH = Alkalinity = ppm Temp = ºC Specific Gravity = Springeri dottyback, P. springeri

AdvantagesDisadvantages Not picky eaters Hardy Adults are easy to care for Pretty! Can be very aggressive and territorial Lose coloration if not fed properly Not super easy to grow

Sources schoose-carefully.htm 6/dotty.htm =3237

Questions?