Twolined dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Family
Pseudochromidae (dottybacks)
Origin
Indo-Pacific (dottyback family range; the exact range was not checked for this entry).
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
6.9 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
75 litres
Care level
beginner
Temperament
semi_aggressive
Reef safe
with_caution

Care

A small, hardy, colourful fish for a reef or fish-only tank with plenty of rockwork and caves to claim as territory. The 75-litre minimum is our estimate from its adult size and territorial habits. Use a tight lid; dottybacks jump. Water figures given here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity SG 1.023–1.026, with stable, well-oxygenated water. This entry is written from the list of marine aquarium fish species only; the species' own article was not checked. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies). Checked October 2026.

Diet

A carnivore. Offer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, chopped prawn and good-quality marine pellets or flakes, once or twice a day.

Breeding

Dottybacks pair up and the male guards a ball of eggs in a cave until they hatch. Several dottybacks are bred commercially; captive-bred fish are hardier and often less aggressive.

Compatibility and tank mates

Reef safe with caution: it leaves corals alone but may eat small shrimps (the list says "may eat shrimps") and bristle worms. Territorial: keep one per tank unless the tank is large, and avoid other dottybacks and similar-shaped fish such as royal grammas. Best added last, after more peaceful fish have settled.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

About Aquatic-Auctions

  • Aquatic-Auctions (aquatic-auctions.com) is a UK online marketplace for aquarium and pond livestock and equipment: tropical and marine fish, corals, shrimp, snails and other invertebrates, aquatic plants, tanks, filtration, lighting and food.
  • Items are sold by auction, buy it now or classified advert, by hobbyist and business sellers in the UK.
  • Buyers pay sellers directly; Aquatic-Auctions does not hold the money. Hobbyist sellers must offer PayPal and may also take cash on collection. Business sellers take PayPal (required) or cash on collection, and bank transfer only once they have a seller rating of 50 out of 100, a company and pet-selling licence checked by Aquatic-Auctions, a bank account in the company's name, and bank details approved by Aquatic-Auctions.
  • Buyers are told to pay by PayPal Goods & Services, never PayPal Friends and Family, gift cards or crypto.
  • Live fish and other vertebrates must be sent by specialist live-animal couriers (for example APC Overnight or DX Express), never by Royal Mail. Some invertebrates and plants may go by Royal Mail Special Delivery or 1st Class within its rules.
  • Banned and invasive species (for example those on the GB invasive species lists) cannot be listed, and sellers must meet the site’s animal welfare standards.
  • Members must be 16 or over to buy (16 and 17-year-olds with a parent or guardian’s agreement); sellers must be 18 or over.
  • Business sellers show their address, company details and pet-selling licence to buyers. Seller ratings run from 0 to 100: +1 for each positive feedback, −1 for each negative.
  • The site includes a free community species wiki with care guides (water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament, breeding).
  • Aquatic-Auctions is run by Etavonni Tech Limited trading as Aquatic-Auctions (company number 10204188), Aldershot, Hampshire, UK. Contact: info@aquatic-auctions.com.