Tankmates for orchid dottyback

[Biodork]

Hi all,

Putting together a 30 gallon mixed reef tank and I'm trying to figure out what fish to put in. I know as a general rule, dottybacks are pretty aggressive and my small tank would exacerbate the issue. I've read that the orchid dottybacks are somewhat less aggressive. Are there possible tank mates for this fish in a 30 gallon? Or is it going to beat the snot out of everything else?

 

[RDtrack]

Can I ask do you just like the purple color?

If so I've had better luck with a blackcap basslets. Also I think their personality is better than the 'devil child'.

Some orchids are better than others, but if you get a terror they are almost impossible to catch.

 

[eatbreakfast]

There are 2 all purple dottybacks. The purple dottyback can be quite aggressive. The very similar looking orchid dottyback is much more peaceful and will tolerate a variety of tankmates in a 30g including, but not limited to bangaii or pj cardinals, ocellaris or percula clowns, watchman gobies and zebra dartfish.

 

[Biodork]

It's not just the purple color, I like that they have a bit of an attitude. But I want to make sure that I can keep some other species too. I'm glad to hear that cardinals and gobies are a possibility, those have been on the possible list as well. Should the dotty back be added last, as it will likely be the most aggressive?

 

[Biodork]

Any possibility of keeping one of the shrimp gobies?

 

[eatbreakfast]

It's not just the purple color, I like that they have a bit of an attitude. But I want to make sure that I can keep some other species too. I'm glad to hear that cardinals and gobies are a possibility, those have been on the possible list as well. Should the dotty back be added last, as it will likely be the most aggressive?

Adding last always helps mitigate aggression.

Any possibility of keeping one of the shrimp gobies?

Yes, they might also be called watchman gobies.

 

[snorvich]

Adding last always helps mitigate aggression.



Yes, they might also be called watchman gobies.

Most aggressive always last. P. fridmani is perhaps the least aggressive dottybacks and in a large enough tank can also be with fairy and flasher wrasses.

 

[Winwood]

I keep a trio in a 70 with with a multitude of small peaceful fish like gobies, cardinals, etc.. I haven't had any issues. In the past I kept 2 large individuals that were moderately rough on one another. I assume they were both males due to their size though. This time around I chose all small individuals and it has worked out so far.

 

[Triggerfish]

have a fridmani in a 110 with all kinds of other fish. no issues.