How big does Orchid Dottyback get?

Orchid Dottyback reaches an adult standard length of 6–8 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Orchid Dottyback need?

24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Orchid Dottyback?

At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Orchid Dottyback like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".

Can Orchid Dottyback be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Not recommended together". Orchid Dottyback and Royal Gramma is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.

G-01 / 50Marine

Orchid Dottyback双色草莓

Pseudochromis fridmani · Pseudochromidae

A violet Red Sea dottyback; intensely coloured and often captive-bred, but feisty.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 50 · Orchid Dottyback Pseudochromis fridmani

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 双色草莓
Scientific name: Pseudochromis fridmani
Family: Pseudochromidae
Origin: Red Sea coral reefs
Adult size: 6–8 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Beginner
Min. tank: 60 L
Min. length: 60 cm
Reef safe: Reef safe

Water requirementsMarine

Temp.24–27 °C

pH8.1–8.4

Salinity1.023–1.026 SG

Alkalinity7–9 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Captive-bred stock is widely available and much hardier.
2Harasses similar-sized grammas and firefish; one dottyback per tank is safest.
3Largely reef safe, though it takes very small shrimp.
4Weaves through live-rock crevices; leave plenty of holes in the aquascape.
5Carnivore needing protein foods such as frozen mysis and brine shrimp.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Orchid Dottyback against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Orchid Dottyback get?: Orchid Dottyback reaches an adult standard length of 6–8 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Orchid Dottyback need?: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Orchid Dottyback?: At least 60 L, and no shorter than 60 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Orchid Dottyback like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: beginner. It occupies the middle and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".
Can Orchid Dottyback be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Not recommended together". Orchid Dottyback and Royal Gramma is a recorded conflict in this atlas. Predation, territorial fighting or conspecific aggression is the usual outcome, and a bigger tank does not change it.