Need help from the Dottyback experts!

[Jeremy1988]

Hey guys...situation report currently is this. I have a 90 gallon reef tank, about a year old. I currently have a Flame fin tang, Blue assessor, tanaka pygmy wrasse, pink skunk clownfish, and a large scissortail dartfish.

Question...I want to add and have wanted to add for sometime an orchid dottyback. I have probably asked this question before...and I mainly get the responses of people being worried about my blue assessor. I feel like my tank is very roomie with lots of places to hide but also a nice open space mid to upper the fish can roam around. Anyone have any thoughts on this. Is it mainly the blue assessor that would be at risk. ALSO, I heard the captive breed orchids sometimes have less aggression inside them? I called Blue zoo and asked them and the said its a horrible idea. Are dottybacks just that mean? I have no experience with them.

 

[Sounds Fishy]

I have had a neon Dottyback ,years ago,that that was eaten by a blue ribbon eel.I found the Dottyback to be a tenacious little fish,that,thinks it's much bigger than any other fish in the aquarium.The one I had did get along with all the aquariums larger inhabitants(tangs,triggers) in a 125 gallon,with lots of LR.They were all aggressive fish.That fish provided lots of entertainment,for me.Unfortuately,it did get territorial,once and a while with the big boys and would never back down.Even with big preditors.It is suited to be with fish that are bigger and just as aggressive as it is,IMO...

 

[ThRoewer]

If you want an orchid dottyback I would go with a pair. That way they are busy with each other and have less incentive to harrass other fish.

The real concern with orchids is their inquisitive nature. They like to explore every opening and particularly turned off pumps. I lost 4 because the stupid apex WAV pumps can't be run on an extremely low speed to keep fish out.

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[Jeremy1988]

If you want an orchid dottyback I would go with a pair. That way they are busy with each other and have less incentive to harrass other fish.

The real concern with orchids is their inquisitive nature. They like to explore every opening and particularly turned off pumps. I lost 4 because the stupid apex WAV pumps can't be run on an extremely low speed to keep fish out.

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Interesting...so there is more to this fish than just "Will it get along with everyone". I didn't know about these factors...I have two sicce voyagers...I assume he could sneak into one, and I use a save surfer so one pump goes on and off every 5 minutes. So yeah that's a concern. I hadn't thought about a pair before...like female and male?

 

[eatbreakfast]

The tanaka wrasse would also be in danger.

Orchids are fairly mild as far as dotyybacks go though.

 

[Silly clownfish]

I have only had my orchid dottyback for about 3 months, so I don't have much history to go on, but mine is very meek and laid back. She is in a 30g with my valentini puffer (also female) who has shown no agression, only curiousity. these 2 fish ar eboth very mild mannered.

I originally planned to out the dottyback in my main tank, but she was so timid in QT that I was afraid she would have been intimidated by the fast moving pushy eaters in that tank - particularly my solar wrasse and flame hawk. They aren't agressive, but I think wpshe would have hung back too long at meal time and missed out on the feeding frenzy.

 

[Jamie1210]

This probably doesn't add to your gold assessor question but I keep 3 dottybacks in 135. The trick is to get them while still juvies, and add together as a group. Largest turns male. the group adds a nice splash of purple to the tank

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[scooter31707]

IMO, it will hold it's own. Mines have defended itself with dwarf angels and hawkfish. Now, on that note, it will depend on the personality of the fish and the size compared to the blue assessor and it's personality.

 

[Jeremy1988]

Thanks for all of the replies everyone...well it sounds like it could be very rewarding...but also very risky! I have heard these guys are hard to catch as well. Arent most fish right. My wrasse also already has a hard time getting food because the blue assessor, dartfish and pink skunk clown are just ferocious eaters, so I really have to kind of baby him with the pippet, these days. He does fine though...I'm not really looking to add another fish that will contribute to the feeding freenzy I already have. Some things I'm starting to think more about now. I'm not going to add the fish...I just think the risk is slightly too high for me...maybe after a year when my wrasse grows larger and my assessor grows larger and get a really small captive breed dottyback.