dottybacks morgan oliver aquaculture 2014. what are dottybacks? family pseudochromidae, genus...
DESCRIPTION
More basic info Hermaphroditic Hardy aquarium fish, adapt quickly territorial May eat tankmate, can be aggressive Prefer dim tanksTRANSCRIPT
DottybacksMorgan Oliver
Aquaculture 2014
What are Dottybacks?
Family Pseudochromidae, Genus Pseudochromis
Ornamentals Found in coral reefs in the wild Cheaper in aquacultureMore readily available now
More basic info
• Hermaphroditic• Hardy aquarium fish, adapt quickly• territorial • May eat tankmate, can be aggressive• Prefer dim tanks
Picture perfect
Taxonomy- aquacultured species • Orchid dottyback• A. fridmani
• territorial• Most “laid back”
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Diadema dottyback• P. diadema
• Semi-aggressive • Like to be hidden
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Striped dottyback• P. sankeyi
• Live in colonies• Less aggressive
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Sunrise dottyback• P. flavivertex
• Moderately aggressive/territorial
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Bicolor dottyback• P. paccagnellae
• Aggressive and territorial
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Elongate dottyback • P. elongatus
• less aggressive• rare
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Magenta dottyback• P. porphyreus
• Similar to orchid dottyback
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Indigo dottyback• P. fridmani x sankeyi
• Show mild behavior of striped dottyback
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Neon dottyback• P. aldabraensis
• Aggressive
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Black margin dottyback• P. tapeinosoma
• Very aggressive to conspecifics (same species)
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Springeri dottyback• P. springeri
• Aggressive to conspecifics
Taxonomy- aquacultured species• Splendid dottyback • M. splendens
• May eat crustaceans• Somewhat aggressive
Cost • Very expensive if caught in wild• Much cheaper in aquaculture• Can find them in most pet stores
Life cycle of reef fishes• Adults spawn• Hatched larvae are taken to open
ocean where they feed on zooplankton near surface
• Larvae mature and become equipped to survive pelagic environment
• Few make it back to the reef, transfer into juveniles, and then sexually mature into adults
Reproduction in captivity and
production methods• One mated pair per tank• They are hermaphroditic, one will grow
larger and become the male• Females spawn 2-4 times/month• Males responsible for eggs
Reproduction in captivity and
production methods• Female deposits eggs into male’s nest• Male fertilizes and cares for the eggs• After spawning, eggs hatch on the
evening of 5th day
Reproduction in captivity and
production methods• Transparent larvae
• Separated from adults
• Active in the entire water column
• Grow very fast when taken care
of correctly
Reproduction in captivity and
production methods• Day 9- slight coloration• Day 20- juveniles, not larvae• Day 25-30 – juveniles start to settle out and
need hiding places to undergo metamorphosis• Adult coloration within 7 days • Stay in hiding and eat what floats by• Rapid growth
Feeds and feeding• Preferably, foods high in natural
pigments• Plankton, bloodworms, brine shrimp,
pellets, flakes• Live rock is helpful
Water chemistry and culture requirements• Salt water• Lots of hiding places and low light,
since they are used to deep water• Alkalinity: 124-214 ppm• pH- 8.1-8.4• Temp- 22-26 C
Advantages Disadvantages
Beautiful Must feed correctly or they’ll lose color
Very hardy Not easy to grow
Adults= easy to take care of
Aggressive and territorial
Not picky eaters
Can be expensive
sources• http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=2x
W7U9z0ErHSsASfn4D4AQ&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg
• http://www.orafarm.com/products/fish/dottybacks• http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcs3/index.php• http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/breeder• http://www.rcthawaii.com/reproduction/4.htm• http
://www.seaandreef.com/marine-ornamental-fish/dottybacks/orchid-dottyback