Neon Dottyback

With its bright orange body and the neon-blue lines running along its back and through its eye, the neon dottyback is one of the most eye-catching fish in reef aquariums. However, this dottyback, which reaches 10 cm, is among the most aggressive of its relatives: it chases fish that approach its lair, even if they are larger than itself. It is hardy and easy to feed; captive-bred specimens are also available and should be preferred.

• At least 110 liters.
• Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
• Reef-safe; it leaves corals alone, but hunts small ornamental shrimp and bristleworms.
• A rock structure with plenty of caves; it should be the last fish added to the community.

Carnivorous. Offer frozen mysis, krill, brine shrimp and granules; twice a day.

Very aggressive towards its own kind, other dottybacks and similarly shaped fish; it can injure small and slow fish. It is kept as a single specimen.

Good companions: Large species able to defend themselves: tangs, large wrasses, dwarf angelfish, Clark's clownfish.

Avoid: Small gobies, firefish, royal gramma, other dottybacks, cardinalfish, small ornamental shrimp.