Splendid Dottyback
Scientific Name : Manonichthys Splendens
Origin : Indo-Pacific
Temperament : Semi-Aggressive
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 5 Inches
Diet : Carnivore
Difficulty : Easy
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 50 Gallons
The Splendid Dottyback is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful Pseudochromis from the Indo-Pacific region. They are part of the Splendid dottyback complex which consist of a handful of closely related fish.
They come from the Indo-Pacific where they are somewhat common. Splendid dottybacks have a myriad of colors and patterns on their bodies. Their tails are yellow while their main body is covered with yellow dots throughout. Also present is a single prominent stripe that goes through their eyes.
This fish used to be called Pseudochromis Splendens but has since been reassigned into a different genus. It is now know as Manonichthys Splendens. This genus is home to other closely related fish such as Manonichthys Alleni (Sabah Dottyback). Specimens are usually wild caught even though this species has been successfully reared in captivity.
While not as aggressive as the Purple dottyback, the Splendid Dottyback is considered an aggressive fish nonetheless. They require a cave to call their own and generally are not a shy fish once fully acclimated to their surroundings. They usually never stray far from their territory and will be found around their main rock scape territory.
Like the vast majority of dottybacks, they are a very resilient fish in captivity. Generally very resistant to disease, they adapt very easily to life in captivity. This makes them the perfect beginner fish alongside damselfish and clownfish.
All members of the Pseudochromis family are carnivores in the wild. They generally hunt for small crustaceans and worms around the rockwork and sandbed. Feeding them is very easy as they tend to quickly accept prepared foods in captivity. But like most ornamental fish, they do tend to prefer frozen foods over pellets or flakes.
They should be given meaty food on a daily basis. Some great choices for them include * Mysis Shrimp, * Prime Reef and * Frozen Krill. They can be trained to accept most foods over time including seaweed strips and pellets/flakes.
Splendid dottybacks are one of the larger pseudochromis available in the trade with lengths of up to five inches being possible. A minimum of Fifty gallons should be made ready to house them. They are certainly beautiful but can be a bit aggressive in smaller aquariums. They are more suited to aquariums that are large and house a single splendid dottyback. They are extremely aggressive towards members of the same species and will hound each other to death.
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