Diadem Dottyback (Pictichromis Diadema)
Species Name : Pictichromis Diadema
Care Level : Easy
Temperament : Aggressive
Color : Purple, Yellow
Diet : Carnivore
Reef Compatible : Yes
Water Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size : 3"
Origin : Western Central Pacific
Family : Pseudochromidae
Minimum Tank Size : 30 gallons
Diadem Dottyback (Pictichromis Diadema), the Bicolor Dottyback, or Purple-top Dottyback is a fish species of the dottyback family. It is a popular aquarium fish species. They were formerly known as Pseudochromis Diadema and may still be referred to by this name in some references.
The Diadema Dottyback is a beautiful yellow Pseudochromid with a bright purple dorsal stripe that goes from the mouth all the way to the back of the fish. In the wild, they grow up to 3 inches.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with numerous hiding places provides a good environment. Once established it will defend it’s territory voraciously and will spend it’s day swimming in and out of the rockwork and in the water colum. This species is known to jump out of open aquaria.
Dottybacks are territorial fish, and should only be kept one to a tank. They will get along with all other types of fish as long as their home "territory" is not disturbed by other fish although some species can become very large and aggressive.
They are best kept with tangs, large damselfish, hawkfish, angelfish, squirrels, parrots and other large fish that are not bullied easily. They are ideal for reef aquariums, although they may try to eat small ornamental shrimp like Sexy Shrimp (Thor sp.) and Anemone Shrimp (Periclimenes sp.).
Through protogynous hermaphroditism, female Purple Stripe Dottybacks can shift sex and become male, but cannot shift back to female.
Easily adjusts to captive diet. Feed a varied diet consisting of finely chopped chunks of meaty foods. These foods include krill, raw table shrimp, squid, clam and mussel. It is also a good idea to occasionally supplement with some type of herbivore diet. Flake food or pellet food can be added once the fish has become established in the aquarium to supplement their diet and add more variety. Feed 1 to 2 times per day.
Size: 1" to 2-1/2"