Orchid dottyback vs purple dottyback

[zachfishman]

I'm about to begin stocking my 29, and am thinking of adding either an orchid dottyback or purple dottyback. Is there a major difference between these two species? I've heard purple's can be quite aggressive; more so than orchids? Is there an advantage to waiting and introducing these species last, or will they be aggressive towards tankmakes regardless? The few other fish that I'm planning for the 29 are mainly gobies.

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

I've never owned an orchid dottyback, but I do own a purple dottyback. I keep the purple with a blue damsel in a 20 long tank and even though the dotty back was added last he definitely rules the tank. I would say if you don't want your other fish's fins beat up and harassed to stay away from this fish. Mine also digs burrows around the tank and will periodically cover frags with the sand being moved. I have heard that the orchid is much less aggressive, but maybe someone with some experience can chime in.

 

[zachfishman]

The orchid sounds much better in that case. What about a blackcap basslet? Anyone know how they compare to the aggressiveness of the orchid? Are either of those fish compatible with shrimps (I'm in need of some peppermints).

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

Again no experience with the black capped bass. I was under the impression that dottybacks and shrimp would end poorly, but it might be different for a less aggressive dottyback. I know that when I added a ghost shrimp to a tank with either a purple dottyback or a royal gramma the shrimp didn't hit the bottom. Maybe add the shrimp in such a way so it doesn't look so tasty.

 

[zachfishman]

From what I've read online, orchids are the way to go. Hopefully the peppermint won't look too delicious. Also, assuming the blackcap is pretty much the same as a royal gramma, a 29 might be a little cramped in the long run.

 

[SkyPapa]

I had an orchid that was kinda aggressive toward a clown pair in a 40b. No harm though.
You'll need a tight cover. Mine made it out through a 1/2 in. hole in my netting.

 

[zachfishman]

Darn all these jumping fish! Scratch the dottyback then. The way things are going, the clown gobies will have to be their own company!

 

[Mr. Wiggles]

FWIW I keep my purple dottyback in an open topped 20L, he has jumped once but I think that was because he was overly excited at feeding time. My friend keeps a splendid in an open topped tank as well and has never had a jumper. I wouldn't consider the dottyback too much of a jumping risk as long as the tank is large enough and has enough places to hide.

 

[zachfishman]

I wouldn't consider the dottyback too much of a jumping risk as long as the tank is large enough and has enough places to hide.

That's promising; the 29 is now full of LR and there are ample hiding places. Also I see that orchid dottybacks are available tank-raised, which is great considering I'm aiming to stock the tank with as little wild-sourced livestock as possible. It'll be easy to ensure that every one of the corals is cultured/fragged/etc., but for fish it's quite difficult and limiting.

 

[Elysia]

A captive bred orchid is likely going to be one of the least aggressive dottyback choices, if not THE least aggressive. My experience with a captive bred Springer's dottyback was also positive; the fish was not aggressive, but it also was not housed with gobies (which are often very passive fish.)

You are correct that a black cap gramma would get rather large for a 29 gallon -- mine is a horrible glutton.

If you would like an active, small, passive fish to house with your gobies, I would suggest an Assessor. They are delightful small fish, available captive bred if you chose the wonderful yellow species, and mine gets along well with my green coral goby and Randall's shrimp goby.

 

[zachfishman]

I'll keep a lookout for a tank-bred assessor (or have my LFS order one after I get my other fish). I hope they're a bit cheaper than the $60 I see them listed online for. Although, the red/orange outlining over the yellow is quite nice.

 

[zachfishman]

Update: I saw some assessors (yellow, wild-caught) the other day, pretty neat. But I also saw a possum wrasse! That is a gorgeous fish. I think I'll go with one of those rather than an orchid or assessor - worth the eggcrate on top of the tank to deter jumping.

Any recs against keeping one of these? It'd be the largest fish in the tank (if you consider 3" large), with only a few clown gobies and maybe a blenny.