Thinking about mean little dottyback

[salty joe]

I have a big tank and a couple dottybacks would be a nice addition except would they likely attack my diamond watchman goby? Would they likely attack cleaner shrimp? Would they likely attack mandarins?

Everything else can easily fend for themselves.

 

[MnFish1]

I have a big tank and a couple dottybacks would be a nice addition except would they likely attack my diamond watchman goby? Would they likely attack cleaner shrimp? Would they likely attack mandarins?

Everything else can easily fend for themselves.

I had a neon dotty back - it never bothered anything. Which kind of dotty back are you thinking about?

 

[salty joe]

I was considering bi color or purple dottybacks. Maybe two or three of each. I don't have experience with them but do know they can be rowdy.
The tank's footprint is 4'x8' with lots of hiding spots. I wonder if multiple dottybacks would busy themselves with each other and leave everything else alone.

Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate your opinion if something like this might work out.

 

[MnFish1]

I was considering bi color or purple dottybacks. Maybe two or three of each. I don't have experience with them but do know they can be rowdy.
The tank's footprint is 4'x8' with lots of hiding spots. I wonder if multiple dottybacks would busy themselves with each other and leave everything else alone.

Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate your opinion if something like this might work out.

The issue with any of these questions is that they work for some (depending on the fish) - and are a disaster with others. The only way to know is to try. Here is an article that may be helpful: https://www.tfhmagazine.com/article...the,the diadem dottyback Pictichromis diadema.

 

[JNalley]

I have an Orchid Dottyback. The only two fish it ever attacked were the Lawnmower blenny and my Flame Hawkfish, both of which were introduced after the Dottyback. I have since added a Mandarin and a couple of clowns, and it doesn't even look twice at them. The Hawkfish and Lawnmower Blenny are also totally fine now (three years later).

 

[MnFish1]

I have an Orchid Dottyback. The only two fish it ever attacked were the Lawnmower blenny and my Flame Hawkfish, both of which were introduced after the Dottyback. I have since added a Mandarin and a couple of clowns, and it doesn't even look twice at them. The Hawkfish and Lawnmower Blenny are also totally fine now (three years later).

Agree - I found mine more fighting for food than the rest - when feeding time came - but not anything as far as attacks on the rest of the tank.

 

[PharmrJohn]

LOL, I was JUST pouring through some posts I made on 3Reef 14 years ago. I can't remember this, but I evidently got a magenta dottyback. I was not happy, as it terrorized my tank and I vowed NEVER AGAIN!

 

[MnFish1]

LOL, I was JUST pouring through some posts I made on 3Reef 14 years ago. I can't remember this, but I evidently got a magenta dottyback. I was not happy, as it terrorized my tank and I vowed NEVER AGAIN!

This is an interesting comment - because I think a lot of reefers forget/ignore their bad decisions, and post the positive - no insult to you - it was a general comment

 

[PharmrJohn]

This is an interesting comment - because I think a lot of reefers forget/ignore their bad decisions, and post the positive - no insult to you - it was a general comment

No insult taken. I'm more than happy to share my mistakes. I've made many lol!!! Cautionary tales are important.

 

[JNalley]

Cautionary tales are important.

Just ask my mom

 

[PharmrJohn]

Just ask my mom

And my Dad with my sister and I. Then I had kids.......

 

[littlefoxx]

I have a big tank and a couple dottybacks would be a nice addition except would they likely attack my diamond watchman goby? Would they likely attack cleaner shrimp? Would they likely attack mandarins?

Everything else can easily fend for themselves.

I have a neon dottyback in my 32 gallon. She doesnt bother anyone but the blenny when he comes near her barnacle. I got her a second barnacle and that solved the issue. No issues with her since

 

[steveschuerger]

The one Dottyback not to get and I had one, is Splendid . Vicious overly territorial a-hats.

 

[DCR]

I have had a least 3 neon dottybacks over the years and all were very aggresive. I have kept at least a half a dozen orchids and they are generally peaceful. Two of them would attack my Royal Grammas. I have also had a few springers with similar behavior to the orchids. I have not seen them get aggresive with shrimp or any bottom dwellers.