Dottyback Aggression Management — Keeping Pseudochromis in Community Tanks

Dottybacks (Pseudochromidae) are small, beautifully colored fish whose aggressive temperament requires careful management for successful community keeping.

Species by Aggression Level

Mild (beginner-friendly): Royal Gramma (purple/yellow bicolor, relatively peaceful), Fridman's Dottyback (vivid purple, captive-bred specimens are especially calm)

Moderate: Springer's Dottyback, Neon Dottyback (fluorescent blue line)

Aggressive (advanced): Striped Dottyback, Diadema Dottyback (beautiful but extremely aggressive)

Aggression Management Techniques

• Add last: Introduce dottybacks last to prevent territory establishment
• Abundant hiding spots: Provide plenty of rock crevices and holes
• Break line of sight: Divide the tank into zones with rockwork
• Adequate tank size: 60cm+ recommended (nano tanks concentrate aggression)

Compatibility Tips

• Choose tank mates of similar size
• Bottom-dwelling fish (gobies) are surprisingly compatible
• Avoid multiple same-species individuals (except proven pairs)

Find Captive-Bred Dottybacks on Bri-Choku

Captive-bred dottybacks from Bri-Choku tend to be milder than wild-caught specimens.