Can you ID this fish

[Mael]

So I was in Petco looking to spend my $5 credit and saw this little guy in a tank and no tag saying what it was, after the aquatics mgr and store manager looked it up for 15min they decided they didn't order this fish and had no clue where it came from. I think it hitch hiked in on the LR they get but who knows, anyway, I decided to save him for the $5 adoption fee they offered. He QT'd with a lawnmower blenny and was friendly, and currently resides in the fuge in my sump with a watchman goby, large mithrax and some rock and macro.

What do you guys think? Only thing my brother and I could come up with is a juvenile Spanish hogfish that hasn't settled yet....

 

[SDguy]

Looks like a very small splendid dottyback. Very nice!

 

[Mael]

here is another shot, hard to get pics of him because he is tiny and a nervous little darter, but his colors are beautiful.

 

[Mael]

That would be nice SDguy, I googled that after you posted and there is a pic of a juvenile that looks a lot like mine.

Looks like they are reef safe although when he gets bigger he would probably eat my cleaner shrimp. Right now he is taking NLS and formula2 pellets as well as frozen brine and Mysis so he is eating pretty well. Ill let him mature a bit in the fuge and see if I want to try him in the DT

 

[ReefingWerewolf]

def a dottyback

 

[Mael]

cool, assuming he stays fat and happy and makes it to adulthood it will be a nice $5 score.

 

[Betta132]

Aw, cute! Nice find!
I love it when pet stores have stuff they aren't expecting and you get it cheap. Grabbed a lovely female peacock gudgeon that way.

 

[Mael]

yah same store had a purple firefish marked from 30 to 15 cpl months ago, he is now one of my residents as well =)

Thanks for all your help.

 

[AuburnTiger1]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+38+178&pcatid=178
definitely a splendid dotty back

 

[Mael]

That great, Going to let him live in the fuge with the goby and crab for a while longer and then maybe see how he does in the DT. He is taking pellets and frozen foods and likes to spend his time under the cheato ball, seems to be getting used to his new digs.