{"product_id":"dilectics-dottyback","title":"Dilectics Dottyback","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eBiosecurity Shipping Limitations apply\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eShipping Allowed?\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ctable width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100%; height: 79.3752px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eTasmania\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 128);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eWestern Australia\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(0, 255, 42);\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003eNorthern Territory\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 19.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(255, 42, 0);\"\u003eNO\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.3739%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003eAll Other States\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 50.2683%; height: 20.5938px;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: rgb(107, 183, 31);\"\u003eYES\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eAbout Dilectus Dottyback\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dilectus Dottyback is a colourful and relatively uncommon marine fish from the \u003cstrong\u003ePseudochromidae\u003c\/strong\u003e family. It has the characteristic elongated body and bold personality associated with dottybacks, making it an interesting addition to a marine aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike many dottybacks, \u003cem\u003ePseudochromis dilectus\u003c\/em\u003e is an active and confident fish that spends much of its time around \u003cstrong\u003erockwork, caves and crevices\u003c\/strong\u003e. Providing plenty of hiding places allows it to establish a territory and feel secure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough small in size, Dilectus Dottybacks can be \u003cstrong\u003eterritorial and aggressive\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly towards other dottybacks and similarly shaped fish. They are best housed with appropriately sized tank mates and plenty of rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are carnivorous and generally accept a range of prepared and frozen marine foods, including mysis shrimp, brine shrimp and quality marine pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePseudochromis dilectus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dilectus Dottyback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pseudochromidae\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marine Fish \/ Dottyback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 8–10 cm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-Aggressive \/ Territorial\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Easy to Intermediate\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Aquarium:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100 L+\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24–28°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH:\u003c\/strong\u003e 8.0–8.4\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.023–1.026 SG\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Level:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bottom to Midwater \/ Rockwork\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes, with caution around very small invertebrates\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSuitable For:\u003c\/strong\u003e Marine aquariums, reef tanks and established marine communities\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Dilectus Dottybacks reef safe?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are generally considered reef safe with corals, although their predatory nature means very small ornamental shrimp or other tiny crustaceans may be at risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Dilectus Dottybacks aggressive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can be \u003cstrong\u003eterritorial\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly towards other dottybacks and similarly shaped fish. Their small size shouldn't be mistaken for a completely peaceful temperament.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I keep more than one Dilectus Dottyback?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is generally safest to keep \u003cstrong\u003eone per aquarium\u003c\/strong\u003e, unless a confirmed compatible pair is being kept in a suitably large system.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat do Dilectus Dottybacks eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are carnivorous and readily accept mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped marine seafood and quality marine pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo they need live rock?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Rockwork, caves and crevices provide important shelter and allow the fish to establish a territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Mistakes\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping multiple dottybacks together\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTerritorial disputes can become serious, particularly in smaller aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot providing enough rockwork\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCaves and crevices give the fish places to shelter and establish territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping them with very small shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eTheir predatory behaviour may put small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans at risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdding very timid fish after the dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn established dottyback may be more territorial towards newly introduced tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderestimating their personality\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDespite their relatively small size, dottybacks are confident and territorial marine fish.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":48917885780107,"sku":null,"price":80.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/ChatGPTImageAug18_2026_03_28_52PM_0000ef03-21df-482b-8c55-6310170b6815.png?v=1787033124","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/dilectics-dottyback","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}