Purple Pseudochromis?

[J. Montgomery]

I saw a cool looking purple pseudochromis in the LFS this afternoon, but wanted to "research" it first. So whats the word on these guys?

I have a 55 gallon mixed reef tank thats been setup for about 10 months now. I've had a pair of false percula clownfish for most of that time, and now I'm looking to add to my livestock.

The fish that I've been wanting to get in addition to my clowns are:
- yellow watchman goby (bought a juvenile earlier today, he's in QT)
- two Bengaii cardinals
- two firefish

I've considered getting a 6-line wrasse, but I don't think I want any spazzes in the tank.

Any other peaceful fish suggestions?

 

[edwing206]

I had one kill my flasher wrasse. I got rid of him.

 

[EdKruzel]

Is it a Purple Dottyback or a Fridmani?

Fridmani:

Purple:

With either the firefish are going to be picked upon, but the P. fridmani is a brighter in color fish with a much better personality that can be placed with numerous less dominant tankmates. The Purple Dottyback, P. porphyreus is much more aggressive and would not be a good canidate for the tank you describe.

 

[green_frogspawn]

i think he means the dottyback...
you should be ok, ive got one in my 120 and although he does get territorial at times and chances fish away, for the most part he is a very good fish. he has never actually nipped at another fish though, just chased them, so i think you should be ok

 

[J. Montgomery]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10085301#post10085301 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EdKruzel
Is it a Purple Dottyback or a Fridmani?

I'm not sure which one it was (and I don't really trust the labeling at this store either). I'm kind of getting the impression that this might not be a fish that I want. Its a good thing I checked into it and avoided the impulse buy Thanks everyone!

 

[Bax]

Look for the dark band across the eyes, and full color in the fins, if it has these traits, it's a fridmani, and a much better choice for your tank. There's always one in my tank, they are great fish IMO.

 

[Vitaly]

I have to agree with EdKruzel and Bax. I have had an Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) in my 65 for several months and he is a great fish (see my avatar). Hangs out around the rock work and keeps to himself, unless the wrasse gets too close to his lair. Gets along fine with the 2 clowns and 2 chromis in my tank.

The other fish is the Strawberry/Magenta/Purple Dottyback (Pseudochromis porphyreus) and though is a pretty fish...is much more aggressive and territorial that the Orchid.

Both are hardy and interesting fish to own and you should no write them off if you like them. However, if you do purchase one, it will limit other candidate fish that you could add to your 55 gallon.

As EdKruzel said you will not be able to keep more timid fish, like the Firefish Gobies, in a tank with the boisterous Dottybacks.

 

[Sheol]

I don't think either the cardinals or the firefish will work with a purple dottyback. The orchid might be ok, the other would require damsels or other equally feisty fish to keep it in line..

Matthew

 

[J. Montgomery]

I went back to the LFS this afternoon to give this "purple pseudochromis" a closer look. I didn't see any black banding, so I figured he's a purple dottyback . . . too bad, it's still a cool looking fish. The colors were a lot brighter than any pictures do it justice.

On a side question, since both firefish and yellow watchman gobies are "gobies", do they tend to get along?

 

[willhoward]

I've got a Strawberry/Magenta/Purple Dottyback, and I must also say that it is alot brighter and much more colorful than in that picture, more like this:

But I have to admit, the temper isn't what I'd wish for. Most of the time the Strawberry Dottyback and the Firefish swin close to each other. But then sometimes out of nowhere the Dottyback chases the Firefish. The Firefish is very shy, and submissive, and will immediately shoot back to its hole. If it was just a quick chase, the Firefish will come back out again in 2 - 5min, but I've witnessed a rather vicious chase, and my Firefish didn't come out for 11days! until it became too hungry.

Also during feeding, the Dottyback will chase the Firefish away most of the time, but eventually he get's tired of doing that.

The Dottyback stands back for no fish. I've got a clown and a dwarfen angel, both bigger than the Strawberry, but he will dash for the food and stand his ground.

This might sound very bad, but after the clownfish, this fish receives the most attention from visitors.

So is the Fridmani less aggressive than the Strawberry? Should I try to find one that's been tank-bred to replace my Strawberry (tank-breds are usually less aggressive) coz I initially thought the Strawberry was the less aggressive one

 

[green_frogspawn]

ive got a firegoby and a dottyback and they get along just fine, so i guess maybe im lucky then??

 

[Bax]

As always, you have to apply the "each individual is different rule".

My first female fridmani ruled my 26 g tank with an iron fist. Not bullying, but in charge. I foolishly tried to add a candy hog and she beat it to death day one ... lesson learned.

I lost that female in a move, she just disappeared in the rock work of my 120g ?

My latest female is very cautious and although always out, hugs the rock work much more than my original. This one never starts any aggression and will dart away when it can but if cornered will stand her ground. If added last, I think it'll work with almost anything. If you don't have a large tank, do not add similar shaped and sized fish after establishing any pseudochromis, it won't be pretty.

I hope to introduce a male for her soon (I successfully paired my last female in a 75 g). One of my favorite fish, and as I said before, there will always be one in my tank.

 

[willhoward]

Bax, how do you know the difference between male and female?

 

[Bax]

Females grow broader across the belly and do not have a slightly saber-like pointedness to the lower portion of the tail that males do.

If I am not mistaken, they can change sex to suit the needs of a population, like clownfish, a male can become a female if there is none in the population and the female will dominate her territory.

I allow a single fish to mature to a female and then add a new male. At least, by chance, that's how it worked the first time so I am trying this approach again. You have to be very patient when adding a new fridmani as her first instinct is to kill anything purple. I floated my first male in a specimen jar for two weeks before subjecting him to the wrath of the established female, but within a week she accepted him.

I have also read where reefers have added several to a tank at once and allowed them to sort it out. You need lots of LR cover to attempt even a pair, it's a turbulent relationship at best, but fun to watch.

 

[SDguy]

I have heard that the orchid is one of the few, if only, pseudos (and relatives) that won't destroy ornamental shrimp. Is this true?

 

[revclyburn]

I love Purple Psuedos,

but I'm cautious about them too. I had one and around 6 peppermint shrimp. Mysteriously the shrimp started missing. One day, I saw something that looked like a antennae hanging from it's mouth. Upon close inspection, it was another peppermint shrimp. Homey figured they made great appetizers, and was enjoying him self to the free snacks. That was the last time I bought one. IMO, I would use caution when buying one when you have shrimp in the same tank.

edwin

 

[falconut]

Wow, I surprised how many of you had a Purple Pseudo (Dottyback) in with a Firefish. I had a 44 gal. Petagon tank with a Firefish and added a Purple Pseudo and within 2 days the Pseudo bit the tail fin completely off and killed the Firefish. I wasn't able to get it out fast enough. So, the Pseudo went back and I'll never buy one again.

A somewhat similar fish I went with was the Royal Gramma. It's got the Purple, but also some Yellow. I've had two and both were completely fine with all the fish I've had. I've had my current Gramma is over 2 years. If you decide on a Gramma, just be sure you get a Gramma, not a Bicolor Pseudochromis.

Royal Gramma (below):

Bicolor Pseudochromis (below):

Since the Bicolor has the same personality as the Purple Dottyback. Hope this helps.

 

[Bax]

I have had peppermint shrimp and fire shrimp disapear in my tank and suspect the fridmani.

 

[revclyburn]

OK Bax,

will have to think about even getting a fridmani now

edwin

 

[cuda6872]

I've had a purple psudochromis for over 4 years & is a favorite of mine but he has reeked some havok in my tank. He has chased out of the tank a 6 line wrasse, Ruby head fairy wrasse, fire fish & a coral beauty angel. All of which I found behind my tank dried out over a 2 year span. He has never picked on my canary blenny which is shocking to me. While adding some live "feeder shrimp" (young tiger shrimp 3-4" in length) He snached one up that was almost as long as he was, bit it in half, & ate the whole thing. But has never bothered my skunk, peppermint or boxer shrimps. He did spent a few weeks fighting with my blueline clown tang & eventualy got slapped in the eye by the tangs spur which I think blinded him in that eye as the pupil is a lot smaller than the other one 6 months after it has healed. (very tuff little guy, healed on his own without meds) Just last week I added a Red Cortez Cardinalfish & within 45 seconds bit him in the eye. Thankfully no ill effects from the bite & after that they seem to be getting along just fine. I hate to say it but the dottybacks are drama queens & like to start crap but they are amusing to watch. I compare mine to a barracuda as he will hover about mid-tank for a few minutes & then dart across the tank in a flash to pick something off the rocks. If you get one that is young, 2-3"max he might get along better with the other tankmates. Another fish to look into would be the fang blennies like the emerald head canary I have. Lot of personality like the dottybacks but not agressive towards other fish despite them having a venomous bite. Either way, both are favorites in my book. (no pun intended to all those who are writing the next must have reefkeepers book) Like most semi agressive fish it is a hit or miss on the personality/compatibilty of existing tankmates. If your not willing to risk it, don't try it. But if you do & it don't work out you will have to catch him & that isn't easy unless you know where he sleeps at night & you catch him snoozing. Hope this didn't add too much to your confusion. Best of luck to ya!