{"product_id":"dusky-dottyback","title":"Dusky 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 Dusky Dottyback\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Dusky Dottyback is a hardy and characterful Australian marine fish recognised for its \u003cstrong\u003edark brown to dusky purple colouration and elongated body\u003c\/strong\u003e. It is a relatively small fish but has the bold personality commonly associated with dottybacks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDusky Dottybacks spend much of their time around \u003cstrong\u003erockwork, caves and crevices\u003c\/strong\u003e, darting out to investigate their surroundings before quickly retreating to shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can become \u003cstrong\u003eterritorial and aggressive\u003c\/strong\u003e, particularly towards other dottybacks and similarly shaped fish. Plenty of rockwork with multiple hiding places helps provide suitable territory and reduces conflict.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are carnivorous and readily accept mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped seafood and quality marine pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDusky Dottybacks are generally \u003cstrong\u003ereef safe with corals\u003c\/strong\u003e, although very small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans may potentially be preyed upon.\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 fuscus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dusky 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 Dusky Dottybacks reef safe?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. They are generally considered reef safe with corals, although very small ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans may be at risk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAre Dusky Dottybacks aggressive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey can be \u003cstrong\u003eterritorial\u003c\/strong\u003e, especially towards other dottybacks and similarly shaped fish. Their small size doesn't mean they are completely peaceful.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I keep more than one Dusky 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 Dusky Dottybacks eat?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey are carnivores and readily accept mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, chopped marine seafood and quality marine pellets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDo Dusky Dottybacks need live rock?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. Rockwork, caves and crevices provide shelter and allow the fish to establish a secure 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 secure places to retreat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeping them with tiny shrimp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSmall ornamental shrimp and other tiny crustaceans may become prey.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdding timid fish after the dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAn established dottyback may aggressively defend its territory against newly introduced fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUnderestimating their personality\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eDottybacks are small but confident fish and can dominate much larger passive tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Apex Aquatic","offers":[{"title":"Large","offer_id":48917883617419,"sku":null,"price":30.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0579\/8353\/3195\/files\/ChatGPTImageAug18_2026_03_28_52PM_0090a751-7406-472b-9188-f5177c7e12a1.png?v=1787035145","url":"https:\/\/apexaquatic.com.au\/products\/dusky-dottyback","provider":"Apex Aquatic","version":"1.0","type":"link"}