Orchid Dottyback Compatibility

[ScubaSteve]

I've been debating the orchid dottyback as well, however, I have a much smaller tanks than you. I have a lot of places for all my fish to hide but I'm not sure how it'd work out. Have you considered a black-cap gramma? They look nearly the same and seem to have a better temperment.

I have seen an orchid dotty in a 50-ish gallon tank with a blenny, anthia, angel and one more that I can't remember and it seemed to get on alright with everyone, though it did spend most of its time hiding in the caves in the tank.

[ponokareefer]

I had one in my 125 gallon system with smaller fish and a couple of tangs, and never had a problem with them bugging them ever. I do have a lot of live rock, so that may have helped, but it never bothered anyone. It was pretty shy though, typically only coming out at feeding time. The tangs quick speed would spook it pretty good.

[aatron]

Originally Posted by ScubaSteve

I've been debating the orchid dottyback as well, however, I have a much smaller tanks than you. I have a lot of places for all my fish to hide but I'm not sure how it'd work out. Have you considered a black-cap gramma? They look nearly the same and seem to have a better temperment.

I have seen an orchid dotty in a 50-ish gallon tank with a blenny, anthia, angel and one more that I can't remember and it seemed to get on alright with everyone, though it did spend most of its time hiding in the caves in the tank.

I've seen the Black-cap gramma ... they look pretty interesting, although harder to come by perhaps? Either way, this little guy/girl (can't tell the difference) is already here and all alone in a 30 gallon tank that I would like to turn into a macro-algae type display with perhaps a leaf-scorpionfish &/or seahorses or something of the sort. Judging by the responses I've received here ... thank you everyone, by the way ... I'm thinking I will try the Dottyback out in the big tank and see what transpires. I will certainly refrain from adding any other Pseudochromis and see just how sociable it can be.

[Ron99]

If it helps, I recently added a neon dottyback to my 75 gallon and it seems to get along with the other fish. It chased the six line wrasse a little for the first day or two but now they seem to co exist without problem. In fact, the small kole tang likes to follow the dottyback around the tank and through the rocks and the dottyback doesn't seem to mind.

However, I think that if you want some of those other small fish like firefish etc. it might be best to add them first and let them get established and add the dottyback last.

[doch]

I used to have an Orchid in a 90 with fire shrimp, regal tang, maroon clown, Canary Wrasse, Mandarin, scooter blenny... and a boxfish. I had no problems at all. My big concern was the fire shrimp, but it all worked out fine. That said, I took some risks last time around, some paid off, some did not. As much as I like the Orchids, I will not be putting one in this time around. Most of the other fish will stay the same though... except the boxfish and tang.