Questionnabout adding anOrchid Dottyback

[Nevil]

I'm thinking about getting an orchid Dottyback. I wanted some other thoughts on this. My current stock is:

Cherub Angel
Ornate Leopard Wrasse
2 Clownfish

My tank is a custom 45 gal 30x24x14 mixed reef.

 

[CMMorgan]

I hear that dottys are testy but the orchids are supposed to be the most chill of the dottys. From a visual standpoint, you have a lot of orange in the tank. Purple is a complementary color to orange, so the pop would be beautiful. It looks like there is plenty of hing spaces, so everyone can have a little corner.
I'd vote yes.

 

[Firthy13]

I my experience, they all turn out to be pretty aggressive. Have you considered a Royal Gramma? Still has the purple, with the added yellow. A lot less aggressive.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Orchids are the most chill fish. You’ll be fine in that tank with one. They stay small and clowns always impose their will on anything new anyway. Grammas are about the same level of agressive as an orchid from my experience. I’d go with the orchid.

 

[davidcalgary29]

My orchids have been perfect tankmates, and they're beautiful fish. Better yet, you can get a captive-bred specimen from ORA, and they've taken all processed (in addition to all frozen and live) food I've fed them.

 

[JosephM]

They’re hit or miss. My brother has one with a blue damsel and 2 clowns and he rules that tank, hogs all the food. I have a gramma in my tank and he’s an outstanding citizen. Gets along perfectly with my clowns and is always out and about show boating his beautiful colors

 

[Frozen Tundra Reef Dreams]

mine was cool!

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

They’re hit or miss. My brother has one with a blue damsel and 2 clowns and he rules that tank, hogs all the food. I have a gramma in my tank and he’s an outstanding citizen. Gets along perfectly with my clowns and is always out and about show boating his beautiful colors

You sure it’s an orchid? Lots of people confuse them with strawberry dotties. Orchids have the black stripe over the eye

 

[JosephM]

You sure it’s an orchid? Lots of people confuse them with strawberry dotties. Orchids have the black stripe over the eye

Might just be the norm. It was sold as an orchid though

 

[00W]

Mine digs and hides digs and hides. Sometimes I don't see him for weeks until I do a rip clean. Never know what rock he's under. Throws sand everywhere.
Yesterday I watched him nip at the foot of my LTA and sent him floating. Then he took his spot.
Just never know I guess.
I have a sunrise dotty in my big tank and he's a pain too. Been trying to get him for 4 years. Finally just gave up.
The BEST thing about them however is that they eat bristle worms like mad.
I know I used to have a lot but haven't seen any in a long time.
Neither one has ever had ANY aggression towards any other fish that I've seen.
For what that's worth....

 

[davidcalgary29]

Might just be the norm. It was sold as an orchid though

Possibly a purple dottyback?

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Might just be the norm. It was sold as an orchid though

That’s not an orchid. 100% not. That species is literally one of the most agressive dottyback. First photo is an orchid. Second is a purple dottyback which is what you have there. All orchids have the stripe

 

[JosephM]

That’s not an orchid. 100% not. That species is literally one of the most agressive dottyback. First photo is an orchid. Second is a purple dottyback which is what you have there. All orchids have the stripe

Makes sense lol. At least he doesn’t attack, just owns half the tank and all the food

 

[DED65]

Mine is always out swimming with the other fish. 2 clowns, blackcap basslet, assessor basslet, 2 Randall's anthias, forktail blenny, purple firefish and 3 starry gobies. I have never seen any aggression from this fish at all. the male Randall Anthia will chase him out of his cave, but that is as violent as my tank gets. I was kind of hesitant at first, but I am glad that I purchased this fish.