Orchid Dottyback compatibility

[Nanogasm]

Cheers all,

My 24 gallon currently contains a Percula Clown and a Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata amboinensis). I've been researching what type of fish I want next, which will probably be my last due to tank size.

<dreams about a larger tank>

I really have my heart set on the Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani). They are such a beautiful fish, size wise seems to work with my set-up, and their reef compatibility appears in check too. However, I have read that they are semi-aggresive when their territory is encroached.

My clown is peaceful and explorative, and my shrimp is like a friendly dog... always pouncing around greeting anything and everything in the tank. My priority is maintaining a peaceful environment for my inhabitants, so I don't want to offset the community in any way. I have plenty of rockwork and hiding places, but with a 24 gallon tank I'm at a crossroads with how to proceed.

Would love to hear peoples thoughts and experiences on the types of behaviour I can probably expect to see from the Orchid Dottyback towards my other inhabitants.

Also, I have heard that the male's aggression with territory infringement is a mating related thing. Would this imply that a female would be less aggressive, or are they just the same but for different reasons?

Thanks

 

[Len]

P.fridamani won't represent a problem with your clown or shrimp. They may chase wrasses and other basslets, but that's about it. Captive bred Fridamanis are a lot more docile, and I recommend you seek out a C.B. specimen.

 

[Anonymous]

I think you could even have a pair of P. fridmani in there if you wanted to.

I used to have a pair in a 12 gallon tank. Like Len said; unless you're keeping them with flasher wrasses, firefish, etc, they are pretty peaceful.

 

[Anonymous]

I just looooove orchid dottybacks. Get one! And get a CB one! Although all the ones I see at the store are usually captive bred so it shouldn't be hard.

 

[Nanogasm]

<--- I have updated my avatar to express my sentiment on this.

Thanks for the info all! Great news!

 

[Tackett]

I just looooove orchid dottybacks. Get one! And get a CB one! Although all the ones I see at the store are usually captive bred so it shouldn't be hard.

Somehow Laura, I knew you were going to say something along those lines.
:wink:

But I agree, TR Orchids are freakin beautiful and very easy to find.

 

[Anonymous]

When I see an orchid dottyback in a tank, I just can't get over how pretty they are. And when you see one under actinics, the purple glow is unreal.

The one I had before disappeared one day without a trace. I later found a mantis living near where his territory was. I am going to get another, or maybe a pair, when I see some at the LFS.

 

[Tackett]

lol, thats a little like seeing a member of the mob at a murder scene.

 

[Anonymous]

Well his punishment was getting put in a 5gal nano tank so he could entertain me for the rest of his life!!! 8O

 

[crod75]

I have read that they can be a bit variable in their temperament (some can be mean, most are pretty docile). However, I have an orchid dottyback that attacked and killed several green chromis that I added to my tank. I think it may have something to do with the fact that he had lived in the tank by himself for over a year and the tank is only 20 gallons. Since you will be adding the dottyback to a tank in which the clownfish is well established, I doubt you will have any problems.
Good luck!

 

[Tackett]

Well his punishment was getting put in a 5gal nano tank so he could entertain me for the rest of his life!!! 8O

hehe, I would like to do that one day as well.