Magenta Dottyback (Pseudochromis porphyreus) Care Guide
Pseudochromis porphyreus is a Western Pacific dottyback with a solid bright purple body that hovers over coral and rubble on reef slopes.
Overview
Pseudochromis porphyreus is a small marine dottyback with a uniformly bright purple body that appears bright blue under sunlit underwater conditions. It is native to the Western Pacific and is commonly called the magenta dottyback.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pseudochromidae
- Genus: Pseudochromis
- Scientific name: Pseudochromis porphyreus
- FishBase accepted name: Pictichromis porphyrea (Lubbock & Goldman, 1974)
Habitat
The species ranges across the Western Pacific from the Philippines to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands and south to the Moluccas and Admiralty Islands. FishBase records it as reef-associated at depths of 0 to 65 m, usually 0-15 m, in tropical water. It hovers above coral or rubble on steep outer-reef slopes and outer channel walls, usually solitary or in small, loosely scattered groups at the base of steep drop-offs.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 100 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness equivalent: 8-12 °dH
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
Diet
It is a carnivore. In the aquarium it accepts meaty foods offered twice daily.
Compatibility
The magenta dottyback is semi-aggressive and territorial, occupying the middle level near reef structure. Reported suitable tankmates include clownfish, tangs, cardinalfish and wrasses. Avoid keeping it with other small dottybacks in confined tanks and with predators such as lionfish.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern, assessed 10 March 2015.