Lyretail Dottyback, Male

(Pseudochromis steenei)

Pseudochromis Dottybacks are small, hardy and generally easy to feed. Plenty of rock work with cracksd, caves and crevices should be provided for hiding. Pseudochromis Dottyback may pick at and consume benthic invertebrates. They have also been known to eat bristleworms and mantis shrimp. A diet of meaty based foods should be provided multiple times daily. Although Pseudochromis are known to be territorial and aggressive towards other fish they are also quite shy. Pseudochromis should be housed with larger fish that are not easily harrassed.

The Lyretail Dottyback are rarely seen in the aquarium trade. Lyretail Dottyback males and females may have different coloration, both have a gray body color with the males having a bright orange head. They can grow up to 5".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareEasyEasy
  • Behavior: BehaviorAgressiveAgressive BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFlake FoodFlake Food DietLive FoodLive Food DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium