Hey all i no this is in the wrong forum section and i plan on asking Mike to make a section on dottybacks.
Here is the info:
Dottybacks are commonly the first or one of the first fish to be purchased by aquarists stocking their first marine aqaurium. The lure of the brilliant colours of these fish combined with their generally small size misleads many into thinking these would be an ideal choice for their budding marine community. In fact, looks are decieving with dottybacks and as many soon find out these fish are among the most aggressive for their size. Aggressive defenders, afraid of almost nothing, these fish will tackle fish many times their size and regularly kill tankmates in battles for resources such as territory and food. Wit 16 genera and almost 100 species, this family is widespread throughout the Indo-Pacific with many species being found in small pockets in areas like the Red Sea or parts of norther Australia.
Dottybacks are naturally found in secluded areas of the reef, often at great depths inhabiting small caves making them difficult for aqaurium fish collectors to catch. This also means that the highly illuminated aquariums we are all to familiar with are less tha ideal habitats for these fish which will often mean dottybacks will be very reclusive in the aqaurium favouring dark sheltered areas within the rockwork.
Dorybacks are carnicorous fish feeding almost exclusively on crustaceans with some species also feeding on small fish, including other dottybacks. Fearless hunters, these fish will attack crabs and shrimp larger than themselves with reports of small dottyback species hunting mantis shrimp. In the aqaurium suitable foods include mysis and
brine shrimp but these fish will readily accept most foods including flake and pellet foods.
Of most importance to the aqaurium trade is the genus Pictichromis, this genus contains just seven species but three of which are the dottybacks most commonly seen by aqaurists.
I Hope This Information Helps You
-Matt
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