Care
The Royal Dottyback is typically found hovering close to corals and rubble in shallow coastal reefs and out towards the deeper reef drop-offs. This is a beautiful, hardy, but highly territorial fish, which in the wild maintains an area covering several sq. metres of reef, where it feeds mostly on small crustaceans. It is therefore best housed in a very spacious and mature reef aquarium where no ornamental crustaceans are present. There should be plenty of hiding places amongst the reef structure, and tankmates must be robust - avoid keeping with any placid species such as dartfish, firefish, gobies, and small wrasses. The Royal Dottyback should be the last fish added to the aquarium, otherwise it will show much aggression towards any newcomers introduced into what it perceives as its established domain. It is essential that the tank has tight fitting coverslides, as these fish are expert jumpers. Keep only one per tank and not with any other members of the same genus, or with Royal Grammas which share the same half-and-half magenta-yellow colour pattern. As already mentioned, this belligerent fish will prey on ornamental shrimps, and will also pick on small/docile fish, fanworms, and bristleworms of all sizes (even those much larger than itself). In the right set up, this is a vivid, characterful fish; however, it is essential that the aforementioned requirements are fully met if cohabiting livestock is to remain safe and happy. May also be seen on sale as the False Gramma, Bicolour Dottyback, or Two-tone Dottyback.
Feeding
Offer a variety of small meaty foods such as Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, plankton, finely shaved krill/mussel/cockle/clam etc. Some specimens will take prepared foods such as marine flake and pellets. Feed small amounts several times per day. A varied, nutritious diet rich in carotenoids will help to maintain the wonderful colours of these fish.
Breeding
This species has been bred in captivity, but details are few and far between. One of the main difficulties is trying to pair up two fish in the confines of the home aquarium, due to their fiercely territorial nature.
