Dottybacks - Pseudochromis - Basslets

The Dottyback also called Pseudochromis, are small brilliantly coloured reef fish which are very shy in the wild and are never found far from their favored cave. A common site in any reef aquarium, Dottybacks/Pseudochromis come from coral reefs all over the world, about 100 different species, broken into 4 sub-families with 16 genera. Many of these fish are hard to collect and are found in remote locations. Depending on where you live they can be quite rare and very expensive. In marine aquariums Dottybacks/Pseudochromis will start out being very shy but can warm to you with time. They are always darting to and from their favored cave while still trying to keep a keen eye on what ever you maybe doing in the room. In an aquarium it is important to offer these fish a varied diet of high quality food as over time they tend to become dull in color, which can be very disappointing. Frozen plankton, brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, bloodworms, pellets and flakes are all popular selections.

Tank Raised Orchid Dottyback
Pseudomchromis Fridmani

Description: Held in high esteem by many reef-tank keepers for it's almost fluorescent violet coloration, lack of shyness, elegant swimming style, and a "minding my own business" attitude. The Orchid Dottyback, sometimes called King Solomon's fish, is found only in the Red Sea. It is found in colonies near vertical walls or ledges, where they dart out to grab a meal from the passing zooplankton, then rush back. In the sea they are found at moderate to deep depths, and look blue rather than the magenta or violet color most aquarists are used to. This is due to the filtering of red light by sea water. In aquariums, the Orchid dottyback is quite easy to keep and feed.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Feed Daily.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.
Size: The maximum size of the Orchid Dottyback is approximately 3 inches.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2-1/2"

$39.99

Tank Raised Neon Dottyback
Pseudochromis aldabraensis

Description: Neon dottybacks are a beautiful orange color with neon blue stripes on the dorsal fin, gill cover and tail. P. aldabraensis prefer rocky shelter and live alone or in pairs in caves and crevices.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Feed Daily.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility: Very good reef or community fish.
Size: The maximum size of the Neon Dottyback is approximately 3 inches.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2-1/2"

$39.99

Tank Raised Sunrise Dottyback
(Pseudochromis Flavivertex)

Description: The Sunrise Dottyback is another brightly colored basslet found in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They have a yellow stripe dorsally from the snout to the tail, and have a blue body with white ventral area. They are found living as solitary individuals around coral heads and rock rubble on the bottom.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Feed Daily.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.
Size: The maximum size of the Sunrise Dottyback is approximately 3 inches.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2-1/2"

$49.99

Tank Raised Indigo Dottyback
Specially hybrid by ORA - Pseudochromidae fridmani x Pseudochromidae sankeyi

IDescription: The Indigo Dottyback is an ORA amazing breeding of the Orchid Dottyback with the Striped Dottyback. The new hybrid called the Indigo Dottyback gives a bold blue color with horizontal black stripes. Both parent species are found in the Red Sea. The Indigo Dottyback has the mild and social nature of the Striped Dottyback and can be kept in groups.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Feed Daily.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.
Size: The maximum size of the Indigo is approximately 3 inches.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2-1/2"

$49.99

Tank Raised Sankeyi Dottyback
( Pseudochromis sankeyi )

Description: The Striped Sankeyi Dottyback is found in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They live in small colonies in rock rubble at relatively shallow depths. This is one of the least territorial of the dottybacks due to its lifestyle of living in colonies with other members of the species. P. sankeyi have a distinct black and white striped color pattern. This is an easy species to care for in the marine aquarium, as long as it's provided good rocky hiding places and zooplanktonic foods such as brine, mysid or krill shrimp.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Feed Daily.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.
Size: The maximum size of the Sankeyi is approximately 3 inches.
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2-1/2"

$39.99

Tank Raised Springeri Dottyback
(Pseudochromis Springeri)

Description: Another beautiful dottyback from the Red Sea, the Sprineri or Springer's Dottyback is an excellent addition to the reef aquarium. Its coloration is Deep Blue with Vibrant Flourescent blue accent lines running through the head region. Springer's Dottyback it is a very active, graceful swimmer, and is a joy to watch working their way around the rocky reef. Springer's Dottyback is very hardy and easy to keep. Feeding frozen shrimp such as brine or mysid is best.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:They are small plankton feeders so foods such as brine shrimp, krill and mysid shrimp are perfect. Feed Daily.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.

$49.99

Diadema Pseudochromis

Description:Diadema Pseudochromis also called Pseudochromis diadema, are found living within the coral maze of the reefs of the Indo Pacific waters. The Diadema Pseudochromis are excellent swimmers that bring a wealth of color and movement to the home aquarium. They are very popular because they are are an inexpensive fish that have the ability to consume and control bristleworms in the aquarium. The Diadema will be aggressive toward other pseudochromis, therefore only one pseudochromis in the aquarium.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger with live rock, etc. for feeling secure
Food and diet:Pseudochromis will also accept frozen or live shrimp (brine or mysid) as a meal.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.

$12.99

Bicolor Pseudochromis
Pseudochromis paccagnellae

Description:Bicolor Pseudochromis, are found living within the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region. Also known by the common name Bicolor Dottyback, they are agile swimmers that bring a wealth of color to the aquarium. They are very popular because they are are an inexpensive fish that have the ability to consume and control bristleworms in the aquarium. The Bicolor Pseudochromis will be aggressive toward other pseudochromis, therefore only one pseudochromis in the aquarium.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger with live rock, etc. for feeling secure
Food and diet:Pseudochromis will also accept frozen or live shrimp (brine or mysid) as a meal.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.

$14.99

Magenta Pseudochromis
Pseudochromis Porphyreus

Description:Also known by the common name Magenta Dottyback, what makes this particular species so appealing? Maybe it is its dazzling purple coloration, or perhaps it has something to do with its interestingly curious nature its known to have. Reaching an average of only 3 inches in length. They are very popular because they are are an inexpensive fish that have the ability to consume and control bristleworms in the aquarium. The Magenta Pseudochromis will be aggressive toward other pseudochromis, therefore only one pseudochromis in the aquarium.
Recommended minimum tank size: 20 gallon or larger
Food and diet:Pseudochromis will also accept frozen or live shrimp (brine or mysid) as a meal.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.

$14.99

Swalesi Basslet
Liopropoma swalesi

Description:Liopropoma Swalesi is a small deep water basslet commonly found around the waters of Indonesia. It looks like other members of the genus Liopropoma, sleek, streamlined, with a body shape that resembles an arrowhead. It rarely tops 4 inches while most specimens come at 2 to 3 inches in size. TIts light purple body is streaked by horizontal orange stripes from its grey mouth to its tail. There is a single black spot on both its dorsal and anal fins.It is also the shyest member of the liopropoma genus. Common names include the Pacific Candy Basslet, Swalesi Basslet, Swale’s Swissguard Basslet .
Minimum Tank Size: Provide at least a 30 gallon tank for a single individual.
Feeding: They should be given meaty food on a daily basis. They usually do not accept dry fish food such as flake food or pellets. Some great choices for them include * Mysis Shrimp, * Prime Reef and * Frozen Krill. These basslets usually adapt very quickly to frozen foods after a few days.
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef-dwelling fish, the Swalesi Basslet will not pick on corals or invertebrates, making them an ideal fish for the reef aquarium.
Level of Care: Moderate
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 2-1/2"

$89.99

Royal Gramma Basslet

Description:The Royal Gramma is found throughout the Caribbean. Quite hardy,a forward half of brilliant purple, rear half of bright yellow . One of the easiest, most colorful, and most popular basslets. It is an excellent choice for a reef aquarium, and since it remains small, is perfect for small reef systems.
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallon
Feeding and diet: Royal Gramma's will do well on a diet of meaty foods including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and quality frozen preparations.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Very good

$14.99

Chalk Basslet
Serranus tortugarum

Description:The Chalk Basslet is a peaceful, very sturdy aquarium fish. Although not aggressive, they will defend their favorite hole or interstice, chasing fish away that venture to near. Best kept with peaceful tankmates. If you want to keep more than one, add them simultaneously to a larger tank with plenty of hiding places. They like to float in place or hover over rubble, silty or sandy bottoms. Overall, Chalk Basslets are a great addition for any size tanks from 20 gallons and above.
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallon
Feeding and diet: Carnivorous, feeds mainly on zooplankton. Feed meaty foods such as mysis shrimp and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp.
Level of Care: Very Easy, an ideal fish for the reef aquarium, this durable fish typically does great in any well maintained aquarium.
Reef Compatibility:Very good reef or community fish.
Approx ship size: 2"

$18.99

Swissguard Basslet
Liopropoma rubre

Description: The Swissguard Basslet, also called the Peppermint Basslet is a beautiful fish. An excellent reef-dwelling fish, the Swissguard Basslet may only pose a threat to smaller, ornamental crustaceans.
Minimum Tank Size: Provide at least a 30 gallon tank for a single individual.
Feeding and diet: As a carnivore, the Swissguard Basslet will thrive on a diet of meaty foods including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and quality frozen preparations.
Level of Care: Moderate
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef-dwelling fish, will not pick on corals or invertebrates, making them an ideal fish for the reef aquarium.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 2-1/2"

$99.99

Tobacco Basslet
Serranus tabacarius

Description: The Tobacco Basslet is a very sturdy aquarium fish. Although not particularly aggressive, they will defend their favorite hole or interstice, chasing fish away that venture to near. Best kept with peaceful tankmates. If you want to keep more than one, add them simultaneously to a larger tank with plenty of hiding places.
Minimum Tank Size: 20
Feeding and diet: As a carnivore, the Tobacco Basslet will thrive on a diet of meaty foods such as finely chopped fresh or frozen marine fish, squid, mysid shrimp, and frozen carnivore preparations.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Excellent
Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 2"

$16.99

Blackcap Basslet
Gramma melacara

Description:The Black Cap Basslet is a deep water species found throughout the Caribbean. It is rarely seen in waters shallower than 60 feet. The Black Cap Basslet can be found on the edges of reefs within deeper waters in the Western Central Atlantic. They are an ideal addition for reef tanks and beginning hobbyists as they are a brightly colored, beautiful and generally peaceful species that is only a threat to very small invertebrates such as amphipods, copepods, and isopods. They can become territorial with others of their kind, but multiple specimens can coexist in larger aquariums. Black Cap Basslets get their name because of the black, cap-like marking on their heads; adding some style to the welcome splash of color that they bring to the reef with their vivid purple coloration.
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallon
Feeding and diet: Black Cap Basslets will do well on a diet of meaty foods including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and quality frozen preparations.
Level of Care: Moderate
Reef Compatability: An excellent reef-dwelling fish, will not pick on corals or invertebrates, making them an ideal fish for the reef aquarium.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 2-1/2"

$39.99

Harlequin Bass
Serranus tigrinus

Description: Harlequin Bass are an easily identifiable, impressive species that are very popular within the aquarium community. Native to the tropical waters of the Western Atlantic, the Harlequin Bass spends a lot of its time hunting for crustaceans along the rock and scattered coral of reefs. They normally work alone or in pairs and get their name from their agility as well as their appearance, reminiscent of historical jesters with their contrasting, multiple black bars and lines that form irregular rectangular patterns along their bodies. Harlequin Bass have long and pointed snouts with a black and white mottling on their dorsal half; as well as a vivid yellow and black mottling on their ventral half, making them distinctly easy to identify.

Harlequin Bass are an extremely hardy species, but they can also be quite active and like to have room to swim around; they should be kept in an aquarium that is no less than 30 gallons and provided with plenty of live rock as well as fine sand to crushed coral substrate where they can use their long snouts to their advantage.
Level of Care: Easy
Reef Compatibility:Considered "reef safe". Harlequin Bass are peaceful with other similar sized tank mates.
Food and diet: Feed a variety of meaty food items such as live, frozen, freeze-dried, and vitamin enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, chopped krill, and small/chopped silver sides (possibly treated with selcon); they will also readily accept small carnivore/omnivore pellets and flake foods. Variety is the name of the game when it comes to overall and long term health. Feed 2 times per day.
Approximate Purchase Size: 2" to 3"
Level of Care: Good for beginners

$19.99

Australia Yellow Assessor
Assessor flavissimus

Description: The Yellow Assessor Basslet, also known as the Golden Mini Grouper or Gold Basslet, is entirely yellow with red outlining the fins. It may often be seen swimming upside down. Shown through experience to be one of the most reef safe and peaceful fish in the industry. Assessors are a very attractive, very hardy fish that makes a wonderful addition to tanks of any size, for aquarists of any experience level. They're not imported very frequently and they have a low birth rate in captivity, so they can be difficult to come by and command fairly high prices. They're now being aquacultured.
Tank Recommendations: Assessors will do well in nearly any reef tank. They need some live rock for cover and are adaptable to most light/temperature/flow situations. Newly acquired specimens will be shy at first, preferring to spend much of their time in the rockwork, and specimens usually will spend a good amount of time swimming upside-down. They're not especially active swimmers so an adult will be comfortable in a 29g tank. They shouldn't be kept with extremely aggressive fish due to their small adult size and lack of defense mechanisms.
Reef Compatability: Absolutely - they have no interest in corals or other invertebrates.
Feeding:Assessors are planktivores and not particularly fussy about diet. Newly acquired specimens should be started on frozen mysis / cyclops and can then be weaned onto dry foods if desired. They should be fed daily.
Approximate Purchase Size: 11/2" to 2"
Level of Care: Easy, Assessors are among the very hardiest fish available to the hobby,

$99.99

Australia Macneill's Blue Assessor
Assessor macneilli

Description:The Blue Assessor, also referred to as Macneill’s Assessor, looks and behaves much like a blue version of the Yellow Assessor. It originates in the Western Pacific from the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and New Caledonia. It may often be seen swimming upside down. Assessors are a very attractive, very hardy fish that makes a wonderful addition to tanks of any size, for aquarists of any experience level. They're not imported very frequently and they have a low birth rate in captivity, so they can be difficult to come by and command fairly high prices. They're now being aquacultured.
Tank Recommendations: Assessors will do well in nearly any reef tank. They need some live rock for cover and are adaptable to most light/temperature/flow situations. Newly acquired specimens will be shy at first, preferring to spend much of their time in the rockwork, and specimens usually will spend a good amount of time swimming upside-down. They're not especially active swimmers so an adult will be comfortable in a 29g tank. They shouldn't be kept with extremely aggressive fish due to their small adult size and lack of defense mechanisms.
Reef Compatability: Absolutely - they have no interest in corals or other invertebrates.
Feeding:Assessors are planktivores and not particularly fussy about diet. Newly acquired specimens should be started on frozen mysis / cyclops and can then be weaned onto dry foods if desired. They should be fed daily.
Approximate Purchase Size: 11/2" to 2"
Level of Care: Easy, Assessors are among the very hardiest fish available to the hobby,

$99.99

Spectrum Fish Food by Newlife

FISH HEALTH DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU FEED THEM- FEED THE BEST FISH FOODS

Why Use New Life Spectrum Fish Foods?
All-natural New Life Spectrum contains absolutely no hormones. New Life Spectrum noticeably increases both color and vigor in both marine and freshwater fish. Premium ingredients produce results superior to other pellets, and even specialized fresh food (such as brine shrimp, seaweed, etc.) without pollution. The high-density, nutritious pellets help prevent lateral line disease, as well as other ailments related to faltering health. New Life Spectrum provides trace elements present in natural environments, but missing in aquariums.

Using Other Brands:
Even some hard to feed marine fish will eat New Life Spectrum fish food. Pellets are designed with no dust and will stay in the water for hours without disintegrating, reducing pollution.
New Life Spectrum is suitable for omnivorous, herbivorous, and many carnivorous fish. Ounce-for-ounce, New Life Spectrum provides far better nutrition than flake food, and is less-expensive relative to weight.
- High-quality easily digestible krill & fish meal protein
- Balanced daily diet for all marine fish
- Boosts immune system to repel parasites
- Enhances the full spectrum of your fish's color

Click here for more information on the importance of phytoplankton for your corals

We Highly Recommend you use Spectrum Fish Food by Newlife
Feed your fish a better food and watch their health and colors improve
Starting At - $7.99

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ReefPods™ Tisbe by AlgaGen

Excellent food for Mandarins, Blennies, Gobies, Seahorses, and many other finicky eating fish

ReefPods™ Tisbe the most popular aquarium Pod -they consumes your aquarium’s wastes and detritus, reproduce well, and are food for a multitude of reef inhabitants!

ReefPods™ Tisbe is a live culture of the harpacticoid copepod Tisbe biminiensis. Tisbe adult copepods live on bottom substrate such as live rock or sand and will eat detritus and microalage in the aquarium. They produce a small nauplii which is an excellent food for aquarium filter feeders and fish larvae. The adults are eaten by small bottom feeding fish such as gobies, dragonettes and blennies.

ReefPods™ Tisbe may be used as a starter culture to add to marine aquarium refugiums or the main tank. Once established they will reproduce quickly, growing from nauplii to adults in about nine days. They will thrive in a wide range of aquarium temperatures and a wide range of salinities. It is suggested they be added to the aquarium at night or to the refugium to avoid immediate fish predation.

Tisbe is an excellent all purpose aquarium copepod owing to its role in the natural environment as a detritivore. An opportunist feeder, Tisbe can be used as a tank cleaner consuming uneaten food and wastes as well as phytoplankton in the tank and refugium. Tisbe is capable of producing many eggs during its adult life span that hatch into nauplii which will enter the water column as food for your filter feeding reef inhabitants and replenish the adult population vital to tank hygiene. Tisbe adults and juveniles may also enter the water column and be tasty and nutritious treats for your reef fish!

ReefPods™ Tisbe 8 ounce $13.99
ReefPods™ Tisbe 16 ounce $23.99

Photos are representative of each species. Each animal is unique and variations should be expected.

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Please note: Aquatic Connection will not guarantee the coloration of corals as seen in your reef system.

Reason? Not all corals from our tanks and lighting will look the same when they are in your tanks. Everybody's tanks have different lighting setups, spectrums, combinations, etc. Aquatic Connection's tanks are lit by 400 watt 20K Halide bulbs. We use this combination for best growth. But for best viewing this is not the best lighting choice. Aquatic Connection photographs all polyps under Actinic only lighting. This brings out the true zoanthilia and protopalythoa colors. If your tank consists of all daylight (10K's, 14K's etc.) with minimal actinic lighting, your not going to see the vibrant true colors. We suggest you add true actinic lamps also and turn these on in the evening without the daylight lighting for proper color viewing.