Spendid Dottybacks

DirtDiggler2823 · Jan 4, 2019

Anyone got any experience or advice concerning splendid dottybacks? There is one in my local shop, and while I'm just starting off and are aware that neon dottybacks can be rough, I'm getting conflicting information on the spendid dottyback. They are beautiful fish, and I'd love to add one, but I need to know if I can add it midway through my stocking, or at the end with the clownfish.

Flippers4pups · Jan 4, 2019

DirtDiggler2823 said:
Anyone got any experience or advice concerning splendid dottybacks? There is one in my local shop, and while I'm just starting off and are aware that neon dottybacks can be rough, I'm getting conflicting information on the spendid dottyback. They are beautiful fish, and I'd love to add one, but I need to know if I can add it midway through my stocking, or at the end with the clownfish.

I’ve never owned one, so let’s see what other people think!

Dennco2000 · Jan 4, 2019

I generally add my clowns first what do I know? So I can tell you my purple is the perfect tank mate, friendly, great personality and great with new fish except..... anything the resembles him.
He's killed 2 diamond backs and one yellow goby, as well liveaquaria rates them all semi aggresive so yes you can add one in my opinion with conditions.

Just my 2 cents.

DirtDiggler2823 · Jan 4, 2019

Dennco2000 said:
I generally add my clowns first what do I know? So I can tell you my purple is the perfect tank mate, friendly, great personality and great with new fish except..... anything the resembles him.
He's killed 2 diamond backs and one yellow goby, as well liveaquaria rates them all semi aggresive so yes you can add one in my opinion with conditions.

Just my 2 cents.

Figured that clownfish get a pass on their aggression because they're famous, but I understand them to be damsels that people tolerate, so those suckers are last on my liat, but I'm adding like 6 of them. I suppose this dottyback can be in that group of additions.

velvetelvis · Apr 7, 2019

Late reply here, I know. I have a splendid dottyback in my reef tank. She was the only fish until recently, when I added a striped fangblenny.

The dottyback tolerates the fangblenny (she charges at him to get him away from her cave if he spends too long near it, but doesn't harass him otherwise). She chased the fangblenny for a few days--not hunting him down, but definitely defending her turf. But now they seem to have achieved detente. I probably wouldn't try a different fish with her--IME, striped fangblennies are fairly laid-back and outgoing, possibly because of their venom. They seem to be able to hold their own. I'm not sure a more timid or high-strung fish would do as well.

I really like my splendid. She's beautiful, reef-safe, and interesting to watch when she comes out into the open. Drawbacks are the territorial aggression and cryptic behavior (I actually added the fangblenny so I'd have something to see regularly. The dottyback spends most of her time lurking in her cave).

nereefpat · Apr 7, 2019

They are very pretty fish. My understanding is that they are hit or miss with being aggressive, and usually somewhere in between the most peaceful orchid and the aggressive rest of the bunch.