Will a purple dottyback terrorize my tank?

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

I had a dottyback as my wife said I like that pink fish, worst mistake I ever made.It was in a 24gal dd tank with 2 clowns. Clowns went in first then the dottyback. The clowns and dottyback got on fine but everything I tried to add after, it bullied and killed, it killed 3 cleaner shrimp and I tried a goby it killed that so I stuck with the 3 fish for 8 years til I shut that tank down caught it took it straight to my lfs he said he'll take it but won't give me anything for it as he won't be able to sell it as they are the spawn of Satan!

 

[Jesterrace]

So I purchased a purple dottyback based on live aquaria's "semi-aggressive" labeling, as I don't want any highly aggressive fish.

So the fish seemed to be doing fine, but abruptly died last night. Upon inspection, it looked like his right fin was torn up. I kind of think he went to war with my springer damsel... And lost.

I saw no aggression from either, but the dottyback was hanging around the springer's cave... So maybe they clashed in the wee hours.

Anyway, after I found the dotty dead, I looked to replace him. During this time, I noticed that most people really think purple dotty's are nightmare fish. I personally didn't see that, but he wasn't a very established fish, either. I did see him go head to head with my royal gramma, but it was limited to a stare down.

So here's the question... Should I replace him? Or should I... And I hate to say this... But should I count myself lucky that I lost a troublemaker before he turned the tank upside down?

I have a 125 gallon tank, 6 feet long. I currently only have it populated with a few inverts and 8 small fish.

2 ocellaris clowns
1 springer damsel (he's chill)
1 azure damsel (also pretty chill)
1 royal gramma
1 blue/green chromis
1 yellow clown goby
1 green clown goby
2 peppermint shrimp
2 emerald crabs
Assorted hermits and snails

If I replace the dottyback, am I signing the death warrant for some of my little guys? Is it worth considering an orchid dottyback? I hear they are much less aggressive.

Damsels and Dottybacks are generally jerks to their tank mates (clownfish can be once establshed as well). I have a hard time believing that an Azure Damsel is "chill" especially to new additions. Personally I would get rid of the Damselfish as they will only create problems for new additions in the long run. Surprised that it got the best of a Purple Dottyback though as they are mean buggers themselves. The only Dottyback I would even consider would be an Orchid and only after I had removed the Damsels.

 

[Rob Minion]

Damsels and Dottybacks are generally jerks to their tank mates (clownfish can be once establshed as well). I have a hard time believing that an Azure Damsel is "chill" especially to new additions. Personally I would get rid of the Damselfish as they will only create problems for new additions in the long run. Surprised that it got the best of a Purple Dottyback though as they are mean buggers themselves. The only Dottyback I would even consider would be an Orchid and only after I had removed the Damsels.

As it stands, I have ZERO aggression in my tank. All fish get along and actually seem to co-mingle in the center of the tank at times. My Springer Damsel and my Azure are two of my oldest fish and honestly, two of my favorite. As far as damsels go, they are about as peaceful as you can get. I may sing another tune if they ever turned, but until then, I'd choose my damsels over a dottyback any day.

Although, I kind of wish I hadn't speculated that my Springer and my dottyback had issues, as it was nothing more than a theory based on a possible territory dispute and nothing more. I never personally saw any aggression between the two fish. I was basically grasping at straws trying to figure out why a seemingly healthy fish died overnight. It is just as likely that an emerald crab trapped and killed him or a giant trochus snail blocked him inside a tiny chamber in the rock and he stressed himself to death.

At this stage, I would only consider an Orchid anyway and even then, I'd be cautious.

 

[TaylorPilot]

Spawn of Satan. They are colorful and cheap. But I have never seen a fish that was as agressive. It dropped in the tank, it squared off and locked jaws with one or two fish, then attacked anything that swam more than two inches from the glass in a 40b. I had to take the entire tank apart to get him back out.

 

[van7271]

My Dottyback is calm and cool but he is also the smallest fish in the tank.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I have to apologize. I misread the first post and thought the op had a springeri dottyback and not a springeri damsel. Springeri damsels are very well behaved, as are azure damsels. They will defend their small territory, but not relentlessly like other damsel genera.

 

[OrionN]

I always love Orchid Dottyback. I never have problem with mine but then I have them in a 420 and a 320 gal tanks. I have a Royal Gramma harem (6) and a Orchid pair. Royal Gramma are a lot of bark but no bite. They challenge other fish that invaded into their territory a lot but turn tail and dash into their cave when the offender advances. Orchid Dottyback never bother any of my other fish. They just min their own business. Both species spawned regularly in my tank.

 

[JasPR]

I've owned more than a few over the past 40 years-- mean as a snake! The meanest fish I ever owned? ( might be a good thread topic) hands down-- an undulate trigger. The second meanest? A huge home grown maroon clown-- Terrorist!

 

[kaduozores]

I have 6 dottyback in my 280g
2 Orchid
2 Springeri
2 Striped (Sankei)

I had two Orchid for 6 months, then I added the other's together one month ago.. in the beginning they are fighting for territory .. but now they are doing good.

 

[Balz3352]

I guess im one of the few people with success regarding dottybacks. I had a neon and an orchid in the same tank for about a year before the orchid decide to go carpet surfing during maintenance and I didnt notice

Tank is a 225 with plenty of rock

 

[Alex Costa]

Is it worth considering an orchid dottyback? I hear they are much less aggressive.

IME, orchids are pretty peaceful fishes. Have several over the years and never had any trouble. In fact, my first one was killed by an Six Line (Son of Sattã fish).
Actually I have 2 orchids, 2 sankeyi and 1 springeri and they do quite well.

Purple, false grama and diadema are a diferent case. They're mean as hell.

Neon arabian are hit an miss....Some get lucky, some don't.

 

[coral4me]

I also had a Purple Psuedochromis in a 90 gallon. Such a beautiful fish and such a monster. I had to build a fish trap and remove some of my rock structure to catch him. The process took several days, chasing him with a net was a complete waist of time. Lesson learned, no more Psuedochromis for my tanks.

 

[ca1ore]

Orchid is a better and more mellow choice than the strawberry/purple. I've kept multiples before, though in a big tank.

 

[MURedhawk]

I had bicolor (purple/yellow) royal dottyback. It was a really cool and beautiful fish in a 65g few years ago. I had to take out few years later since it was so mean to any new additions. I was fine with all the fish that were added before or simultaneously. I had to use a fish trap to catch and take out. If getting one, I would add last.

 

[Scott Campbell]

I've owned more than a few over the past 40 years-- mean as a snake! The meanest fish I ever owned? ( might be a good thread topic) hands down-- an undulate trigger. The second meanest? A huge home grown maroon clown-- Terrorist!

I would absolutely second this! If you really want to turn the tables on an aggressive dottyback - just toss an Undulated Trigger or Tomato Clown in the tank. Of course everything else in your tank will be killed and you won't be able to reach in the tank without heavy gloves, but it will certainly solve the dottyback issue.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Ive had them in the past with no issues. Now a royal gramma is a whole different story- MEAN

 

[alex.mccann99]

Royal Grammas and Dottybacks are both very territorial, don't rule out the Royal Gramma from being the killer.

 

[bombero11]

In the process of trying to take a purple dottyback out, terrorizing most other fish
Going to have to get a fish trap

 

[infinityends]

I’ve had a couple of dottybacks. An orchid who was about as mild tempered as can be hoped for with a dottyback. That fish only had an issue with a tang that always swam past the orchid’s cave. And just chased away any fish that came within about 6” of the cave entrance. Past that. The orchid didn’t bother other fish that were around the top of the rock work above it’s cave or anything.

On the other hand... I also had a neon dottyback a couple years later (when I couldn’t find any orchids at any of the lfs in my area and I had lost my orchid dottyback) that was essentially a psychopathic murder machine.

As a side note since I’ve seen grammas mentioned by others. Honestly my experience was that my royal gramma (after removing the neon dotty from the tank due to its serial killer tendencies) was a more aggressive and territorial fish than the orchid dotty I had.


I’ve read a handful of posts comparing the various species of dottybacks and the general consensus is that orchids are the calmest variety.

 

[cmoore497]

Our orchid was mean and eventually our Coral Beauty killed it.