Dottyback fans, can you help me decide?

[velvetelvis]

She didn't make it--was literally breathing her last when I came home from work, poor little booger. At least my new Stereonephthya is doing well.

Back to the drawing board...at least DD is giving me full credit plus shipping back for the poor elongatus.

 

[PiXieCath]

Hooooo...that's sad...:-( Really sorry about your loss... Will you try another one?

 

[velvetelvis]

Thanks, Cath. Yeah, I will try another one. I really like the looks of the elongatus and want to keep one. Their colors really complement the corals in my system. Even in her condition, the dotty I just lost was a beautiful little fish, and she would have been the perfect size to roam around all the nooks and crannies in my LR. As for my clown goby, he's almost as long as she was, and a lot chunkier--maybe he can hold his own.

The assistant manager at my LFS, who is not a dottyback fan, loves elongatus (I think he'd really like me to get an assessor, but they're not active enough for me). He says they're the only dottyback he's ever been taken with, and that his was very peaceful (he kept it with tiny gobies and never had any trouble). DD gave me a full refund (including shipping), so I'll keep an eye on their sneak peeks. The guy at the LFS is also going to check Sustainable Aquatics' fish list to see if they carry P. elongatus.

*crossing fingers*

 

[PiXieCath]

Glad to know that despite your loss, you'll try another one. Usually, this fish is really hardy...that was very a badluck I guess...the next one will be the one!;-)

I'm not a dotty fan too...but when I saw the elongatus at the store, I can't resist to bring it back at home!lol Sooooo beautifull fish, and having a so sweet behavior for a dotty. I wish you the best luck for the next one, i'm sure he'll doing fine and make the pride and joy of is futur owner!;-)

 

[velvetelvis]

Finally got a dottyback! I ended up getting a ORA-bred fridmani, after seeing it at a store in Raleigh. I just couldn't resist that neon-magenta color. She seems to be settling in well and hasn't harassed the goby or the cleaner shrimp so far. Gorgeous little fish and entertaining to watch dart in and out of the rocks. Since I keep some photosynthetic Stereonephthyas and a photosynthetic sea fan, it's even a semi-biotope--they're apparently found among Dendronephthya-type corals and sea fans in the wild. I almost wish I could have gotten a pair, but two might have been pushing it in a tank that small. Anyway, I'm very happy with the choice I finally made...thanks for the advice, everybody!

 

[Sheol]

That is one of the best choices in the whole family!

Matthew