Spendid Dottyback

[loui]

Hi Henry

Read your article on the splendid dottyback and was set back a bit I have been wanting to set up a breeder tank for these fish well I actually already have it set up Forty gallon tank connected to a 75 and a 20 gallon sump in the middle. Anyways reading your article it said these fish are very aggressive and can get up to 8 inches this is a good size fish, All the other articles I have seen said these fish are very community orientated and only get about 3 to 4 inches. These articles are they just trying to sell you this fish or are they seeing something different? My concern is I am not in a good position to just breed any fish as you know it can be expensive (breeding Banggai Cardinals now so I know) and if it now worthwhile I hate to say it but it has to at least pay for itself in the long run. I think these fish are very beautiful I have always thought that I never see them in my area, so I would think I could get a good price for them, but if they are aggressive and get to big nobody will buy them. Any other info will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for your time

 

[Sloeber]

hi loui

splendids are rather aggressive. a "community tank" of surgeonfish, triggers, puffers, etc., would work. a less aggressive community tank would not work.

i have only seen 1 splendid more than 6". most splendids that are imported are around 3". however, the possibilty to grow to 8" does exist.

a 40g tank probably won't be large enough to house 2 splendids. more than likely the male will atack and kill the female. you can try it, just watch carefully.

have you thought about orchids or springers? much more of a community fish.

HTH

henry

 

[loui]

Thanks for the info

Springer's look very nice I think I will give them a try; know where I can get a pair. Does the male and female have any different characteristics allowing you to tell the difference?

Thanks for saving me some time and money, would have probably been a big mistake.

 

[Sloeber]

Does the male and female have any different characteristics allowing you to tell the difference?

none that i'm aware of.

know where I can get a pair.

your LFS should be able to order them captive bred from ORA

HTH

henry