Orchid dottyback – Pseudochromis fridmani
Species name: Pseudochromis fridmani
Common names: Orchid dottyback, ridmani Dottyback
Family: Dottybacks
Subfamily: Pseudochrominae
Order: Perciformes
Class: Actinopterygii
Maximum length: 2.36 in.
Minimum tank size: 30 gallon
Hardiness: Easy. Great beginner’s fish.
Aggressiveness: Semi-aggressive. Can be aggressive with their tank mates when defending their territory.
Reef Compatibility: Excellent. Do not bother corals
Distribution: Red Sea
Diet: Prefers meaty food such as brine shrimp or krill. Will go after any frozen, pellet and flake foods. They will hunt and feed on bristle worms and are said to eat small mantis shrimp.
Additional information:
The Orchid dottyback, also known as the Fridman’s Pseudochromis or Fridman’s is from the Red Sea where it is usually found on vertical rock faces or beneath overhangs, making its home in small holes or crevices. The Orchid dottiback is great for the reef aquarium and makes an excellent choice for beginners.
fully adult supermales have a pointed filament on their tails
The body is bright violet with a black stripe that runs from the lip over the eye and plunging on the edge of the gill cover. There is a dark spot at the rear edges of most of the scales.
Like the rest of the family, the Orchid dottyback is hermaphrodites and can adopt either male or female characteristics. The larger ones usually become the male.
This Orchid dottyback can be confused with the Magenta Dottyback Pseudochromis porphyreus because the two do look very similar. Looking at the fin coloration can be a good way to make the difference between the two. It they are totally purple then it is an Orchid Dottyback. If they are cleay then it is a Magenta Dottyback which will be much more aggressive. The Orchid will also have a black stripe through the eye while the Magenta will not.
Pairs have been known to breed in captivity. If more than one Pseudochromis will be maintained together in the aquarium. it is important to add two specimens of unequal size them at the same time.
The ideal aquarium should provide plenty of hiding places to help make it feel secure.
Dim lighting is a plus. The pH level should be between 8.1 and 8.4, temperature should stay between 74°F and 82°F (28°C) and specific gravity should be between 1.02 and 1.025.
The Orchid dottyback became almost extinct until captive breeding resurrected them so try to go for the ones bred in captivity and not caught from the wild.
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Article written by www.aquariumslife.com
References: FishBase, Reefkeeping.org
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