Pseudochromis flavivertex (Sunrise Dottyback)

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Facts

Latin name	Pseudochromis flavivertex - Rüppell, 1835
Local name	Sunrise Dottyback
Family	Pseudochromidae - Pseudochromis
Origin	East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, The Red Sea
Max length	7 cm (2.8")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	100 l (26 gal)
Hardiness	Hardy
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable for most aquarium
Reef safe	Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness	Might be aggressive towards other species

Feed

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

Jumps out of open aquaria

This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.

Can be a threat towards small crustaceans

This species can be a threat towards small crustaceans, e.g. small shrimp.

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.

Can coexist as a pair

They can live as a pair provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Hiding places

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

Docile

This species is very shy and docile, so one should be careful when keeping it with more aggressive fish.

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.

Can be aggressive

This species can be aggressive when kept together with fish that are very similar, or if they are not provided with adequate space.

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 Indian Ocean: Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
English common names	Sunrise dottyback
French common names	Pseudochromis à dos jaune

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)