Orchid Dottyback! And thanks!

[DominicGates]

Hey everyone!
We got our first fish! It's an orchid Dottyback and he's a little shy but already warming up to our tank! Thanks to everyone who has given me advice so far and an even bigger thanks to all the advice I will get! We are hoping to add either a couple bangaii cardinals or a fire fish in the next week or so. Here are some pictures!

 

[Puppy]

Looks good

 

[r.bergonia19]

Why add a dottyback first?? They are very territorial and aggressive. The other fishes ur going to add is gonna get beat up by this fish.

 

[DominicGates]

Why add a dottyback first?? They are very territorial and aggressive. The other fishes ur going to add is gonna get beat up by this fish.

We went in to get a royal gramma that we had been eyeing but he had ich so we went with another fish off of our list. We read that the orchid Dottyback was the least aggressive of the species so we're hoping for the best!

 

[ChiCity]

Put the dotty in your sump for now, add the cardinals and whatever else you please and then reintroduce the dotty back in...

It'll save you headaches

 

[DominicGates]

Put the dotty in your sump for now, add the cardinals and whatever else you please and then reintroduce the dotty back in...

It'll save you headaches

We actually don't have a sump! We're hoping we can fit it in our budget sooner or later but now we just have a hob filter and refugium and an in tank skimmer. I hope it won't be too bad!

 

[adestafi]

I added a neon dottyback before i added my banggai's and they're all fine. The cardinal fish stay towards the top of the tank and the dottyback cruises the bottom...

 

[eatbreakfast]

You'll be fine leaving the orchid dottyback in, they are a pretty calm dottyback.

 

[Marc.The.Shark]

My orchid is good as well. My clown is more aggressive than the dottyback by far, always chases my yellow assessor. Never saw the orchid go after either of them once. Once he warmed up to his new surroundings, he cruises the tank regularly; took a couple of weeks.

 

[Chrisfish]

Congratulations on your first addition :) beautiful fish.

 

[mort]

I wouldn't worry about the dotty and cardinals but the firefish would worry me a little (basically because I have the opinion that firefish are the wossiest fish there is) as dottybacks can be a bit pushy to fish that like to hide in the rockwork. As your dotty is small you will probably be fine.

Is that a real chocolate chip starfish or a decoration? I ask as they aren't reef safe.

 

[dmh41532]

We went in to get a royal gramma that we had been eyeing but he had ich so we went with another fish off of our list. We read that the orchid Dottyback was the least aggressive of the species so we're hoping for the best!

My experince with them is they really arent that aggressive/territorial. Ive had two over the past seven years. Never did they arrack or chase a fish away. I added one last, and the clown fish beat it up pretty bad for about a week. I think youll be okay.

 

[4FordFamily]

Why add a dottyback first?? They are very territorial and aggressive. The other fishes ur going to add is gonna get beat up by this fish.

Orchid are not very aggressive at all, I've never seen any aggressive behavior from them which is different from most other dottyback

 

[Jay_M]

All we can do is share our experiences as most temperaments are general and can very on a tank to tank basis, but i can tell you that I tore down my 75 gallon reef completely to remove my neon dottyback that was added last, mind you. (Different fish, different temperament so argument can be made here I know)

I would say in my opinion, the fire fish or banggai cardinals should be introduced first.

Banggai cardinals were so simple but for some reason one of my favorite pairs in my reef. This is one of the easier fish to have spawn in the fish tank and to see the cardinal mouth brood is an awesome thing to witness!

 

[Greengny]

Hi. Just my experience with this fish in a Fusion 10. Had this pretty fish originally with Mr. Cranky, Alga Blenny. they got along fine.

Tried adding a little clown Goby. Nada. Tried adding 2 fire fish. Nada. Tried adding 2 little Pajamma Cardinals. Nada. Out came the dottyback and now the tank is peaceful.

Like everything in life, it depends on the environment. Good luck but be prepared to take that little devil back to the pet shop.

 

[DominicGates]

Wow guys! Thanks for all the replies and experience! It seems like he's most likely gonna be just fine! I really hope so, he's a pretty little guy!

Is that a real chocolate chip starfish or a decoration? I ask as they aren't reef safe.

It's a decoration, my lady really wanted one but we are planning on getting a valentini puffer and we read that they would nip them so we decided to just get a fake one! I didn't think about it until now, but I hope that doesn't totally confuse the puffer.

We are planning on just having a Fowlr aquarium for the time being. Once we get a little more experience and a bigger place I absolutely want a reef eventually!

 

[Boom]

I had an orchid dotty back in my 60g that never bothered any new additions for two years thereafter. HOWEVER, when I added a cleaner wrasse, he got super shy and stressed. He was the ONLY fish that got sick! I moved him to a hospital tank when I found him gasping on the sand in the morning. He never recovered.

I wouldn't worry about the dotty and cardinals but the firefish would worry me a little (basically because I have the opinion that firefish are the wossiest fish there is) as dottybacks can be a bit pushy to fish that like to hide in the rockwork.

I agree!
Fish that have roughly the same body shape can also potentially clash if not introduced at the right time or sequence.
Enjoy your orchid. They're a joy and a gem with brilliant colors. Mine kept the bristle worm population in check.,too...

 

[DominicGates]

Fish that have roughly the same body shape can also potentially clash if not introduced at the right time or sequence.
Enjoy your orchid. They're a joy and a gem with brilliant colors. Mine kept the bristle worm population in check.,too...

If I were to add a fire fish next do you think there might be issues? What should I watch for just aggressiveness?

 

[Boom]

Sorry I didn't see any mention of your tank specs... maybe if your tank is larger than 60g you MIGHT be safe. Firefish and dottybacks have same shape although range slightly different areas of the water column. Both are jumpers, so buyer beware. My male literally bullied the female right out of my tank after they had already laid a few clutches-- and I have a very low profile hood. Waking up to crispy fish on the floor is heartbreaking and expensive.
There is a world of oceans and fishes to choose from. If you're flexible with your vision of your tank, you'll realize you're increasing your chances of finding more compatible tank mates. Research! I'm sure your local fish stores would be happy to order whatever fish you choose.

 

[Boom]

K. I read through your previous posts. Love the fuge,btw.
Nice tank, but with your open 40g, dottybacks and firefish will be jumping jellybeans in no time!