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Dottybacks. Morgan Oliver Aquaculture 2014. What are Dottybacks ?. Family Pseudochromidae , Genus Pseudochromis Ornamentals Found in coral reefs in the wild Cheaper in aquaculture More readily available now. More basic info. Hermaphroditic Hardy aquarium fish, adapt quickly
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Dottybacks Morgan Oliver Aquaculture 2014
What are Dottybacks? • Family Pseudochromidae, Genus Pseudochromis • Ornamentals • Found in coral reefs in the wild • Cheaper in aquaculture • More readily available now
More basic info • Hermaphroditic • Hardy aquarium fish, adapt quickly • territorial • May eat tankmate, can be aggressive • Prefer dim tanks
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Orchid dottyback • A. fridmani • territorial • Most “laid back”
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Diademadottyback • P. diadema • Semi-aggressive • Like to be hidden
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Striped dottyback • P. sankeyi • Live in colonies • Less aggressive
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Sunrise dottyback • P. flavivertex • Moderately aggressive/territorial
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Bicolor dottyback • P. paccagnellae • Aggressive and territorial
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Elongate dottyback • P. elongatus • less aggressive • rare
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Magenta dottyback • P. porphyreus • Similar to orchid dottyback
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Indigo dottyback • P. fridmani x sankeyi • Show mild behavior of striped dottyback
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Neon dottyback • P. aldabraensis • Aggressive
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Black margin dottyback • P. tapeinosoma • Very aggressive to conspecifics (same species)
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Springeridottyback • P. springeri • Aggressive to conspecifics
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Splendid dottyback • M. splendens • May eat crustaceans • Somewhat aggressive
Cost • Very expensive if caught in wild • Much cheaper in aquaculture • Can find them in most pet stores
Life cycle of reef fishes • Adults spawn • Hatched larvae are taken to open ocean where they feed on zooplankton near surface • Larvae mature and become equipped to survive pelagic environment • Few make it back to the reef, transfer into juveniles, and then sexually mature into adults
Reproduction in captivity and production methods • One mated pair per tank • They are hermaphroditic, one will grow larger and become the male • Females spawn 2-4 times/month • Males responsible for eggs
Reproduction in captivity and production methods • Female deposits eggs into male’s nest • Male fertilizes and cares for the eggs • After spawning, eggs hatch on the evening of 5thday
Reproduction in captivity and production methods • Transparent larvae • Separated from adults • Active in the entire water column • Grow very fast when taken care of correctly
Reproduction in captivity and production methods • Day 9- slight coloration • Day 20- juveniles, not larvae • Day 25-30 – juveniles start to settle out and need hiding places to undergo metamorphosis • Adult coloration within 7 days • Stay in hiding and eat what floats by • Rapid growth
Feeds and feeding • Preferably, foods high in natural pigments • Plankton, bloodworms, brine shrimp, pellets, flakes • Live rock is helpful
Water chemistry and culture requirements • Salt water • Lots of hiding places and low light, since they are used to deep water • Alkalinity: 124-214 ppm • pH- 8.1-8.4 • Temp- 22-26 C
sources • http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=2xW7U9z0ErHSsASfn4D4AQ&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg • http://www.orafarm.com/products/fish/dottybacks • http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcs3/index.php • http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/breeder • http://www.rcthawaii.com/reproduction/4.htm • http://www.seaandreef.com/marine-ornamental-fish/dottybacks/orchid-dottyback