Royal Dottyback

Overview

The Royal Dottyback, sometimes called the Bicolour Dottyback, is a small, vividly two-toned fish with a bright purple front half and a rich yellow rear half, offering serious colour impact for such a compact species. It's a hardy, easy-to-feed dottyback well suited to nano and small reef tanks.

Like most dottybacks it can be territorial, particularly toward similarly shaped or sized fish, so this is a species best added with some thought to existing tankmates rather than as an afterthought.

Its small size, vivid colour, and general hardiness make it a popular choice for keepers wanting a bold splash of colour without the space demands of a larger fish.

Compatibility

Royal Dottybacks can be territorial and occasionally nippy toward smaller, similarly shaped fish such as small gobies or blennies, so care with tankmate selection is worthwhile. They are generally fine with larger, more robust community fish that won't be intimidated.

They are fully reef safe and won't bother corals, clams, or invertebrates.

Health & quarantine

This is a hardy, adaptable species with few chronic health issues, generally acclimating and feeding well without major complications. A standard quarantine period of two to four weeks is recommended good practice, and this species typically ships and settles in with minimal stress.