Pictichromis paccagnellae

Source: Tropeland - Kasper Hareskov Tygesen

Source: JJPhoto.dk

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Facts

Latin name	Pictichromis paccagnellae - (Axelrod, 1973)
Local name	Bicolor Dottyback
Family	Pseudochromidae - Pictichromis
Origin	Australia, Japan, Indonesia
Max length	7 cm (2.8")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	50 l (13 gal)
Hardiness	Hardy
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable with care
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Aggressive towards other species

Feed

Recommended	Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Mostly	Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)

Beware of

Jumps out of open aquaria

This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.

Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Aggressive

This species can be extremely aggressive towards other fish.

Be careful when keeping these fish together with peaceful or docile species. Regular feeding, plenty of hiding places and a lot of space can alleviate aggressive behavior to some degree.

Keep in mind

Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Looses colour in the aquarium

In the aquarium the colour of this species can become matte.

Food with plenty of pigment and generally a varied diet of high quality can help alleviate colour loss.

Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Hermaphroditic

This species can change gender from female to male.

When a male is needed, a female changes sex and takes on the role.

Bred in captivity

This species can be bred in captivity, one can therefore consider asking your local fish store for a captive bred specimen.

Descriptions and further reading

Family description (Pseudochromidae)

Dottybacks (Pseudochromidae) are often very colourful, rather hardy and relatively small, typically under 4 inch (10 cm). These fish can be distinguished from other fish by looking at the shape of the eye, see for example the picture of this: Hawkfish, Surgeonfish, Rabbitfish, Angelfish, Triggerfish, Clown/ Damselfish or Pufferfish.

Dottybacks will compete for food with other fish which eat zooplankton off the rocks. Mandarinfish and similar species can find it difficult to get enough food if kept together with Dottybacks.
One could consider the Gramma species, if one wishes a similar fish which is more peaceful.

FishBase

Aquarium trade	Yes
Distribution	Western Pacific: Indonesia (Java and Sulawesi) to Vanuatu; Palau in Micronesia.
Danish common names	Royal koralsmutte
English common names	Royal dottyback

References and further reading

About references

Henry C. Schultz. 2002. The Dottybacks - Reefkeeping - (English)
Scott W. Michael. 2001. Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: v. 2 (Reef Fishes) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. The Dottybacks, Family Pseudochromidae - Wet Web Media - (English)
Collection of links to additional information - Wet Web Media - (English)