Whitebar Dottyback (Pseudoplesiops typus) Care Guide
Pseudoplesiops typus is a small, cryptic Western Central Pacific dottyback that lives near coral heads on reef crests and lagoons.
Overview
Pseudoplesiops typus is a small marine dottyback described by Bleeker in 1858. It is native to the Western Central Pacific and is also referred to as the hidden basslet because of its cryptic, reclusive habits.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pseudochromidae
- Genus: Pseudoplesiops
- Scientific name: Pseudoplesiops typus Bleeker, 1858
Habitat
The species ranges across the Western Central Pacific from Borneo to the Solomon Islands, north to the Philippines, south to north-western Australia and Queensland, and to the Marshall Islands in Micronesia. FishBase records it as reef-associated at depths of 6 to 65 m, usually 6-20 m, in tropical water. It occupies reef crests and lagoons near coral heads, and its colour is variable from pale yellow to red.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 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 whitebar dottyback is peaceful but cryptic, spending much of its time within rockwork at the middle level. 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.