Bicolor Dottyback – Complete Care Guide

The Bicolor Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) is a beautiful saltwater fish that is split into two colors, purple and yellow. The vibrant coloration of this dottyback species makes it an appealing candidate for an aquarium. Avoid misidentifying this fish with the Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto). They both have a similar shape and a fairly similar color pattern. You might see this fish species, called the Bicolor Pseudochromis, from time to time. It is fairly easy to care for, but it can be territorial once it gets settled into an aquarium. This article will go into more depth on aquarium requirements, diet, tank mates, and breeding of the Bicolor Dottyback.

The Bicolor Dottyback fish will grow to around 3 inches when it reaches full size. It does best in fish tanks that are 30 gallons or larger. A larger fish tank with plenty of live rock is recommended due to its territorial personality. They aren’t outright aggressive but they are more than happy to defend their territory against larger fish.

This species of fish will also benefit from having a well-fitted lid covering the aquarium because they could potentially jump out. It’s heartbreaking losing a fish, especially one that’s as expensive as a saltwater fish, so it’s best to take precautions and cover it (if possible).

Is the Bicolor Dottyback Reef Safe?

Bicolor Psuedochromis are reef safe. They should not harm coral. The only types of invertebrates they may target are ornamental shrimp such as Sexy Shrimp. Clams, hermit crabs, snails, and many other types of invertebrates should do perfectly fine with your dottyback.

Having stable water parameters within the suggested ranges will help keep your fish happy and increase their chances of living long lives. Many saltwater fish have similar water parameter needs. Just like most other saltwater fish, the Bicolor Dottyback will be fine in water temperatures between 72° and 78°F. Many fishkeepers seem to keep the temperature between 76° and 78°F. The dKH levels can be between 8 and 12. The type of coral you keep (if any) will determine what dKH level you will need. The pH level in your aquarium should be between 8.1 and 8.4. You may get fluctuations in pH due to photosynthesis (oxygenation) and respiration (CO2 buildup) throughout the day and night cycle. Lastly, the salinity levels should sit between 1.020 and 1.025 sg. You’ll likely keep it on the higher end if your aquarium has corals. There are many tools to test the salinity levels of your aquarium water. Check out Different Salinity Reading Tools For Saltwater Fish Tank to learn more.

This species of fish is carnivorous. They will require a healthy mixture of protein-rich food such as Mysis Shrimp, Brine Shrimp, Krill, and others that can be found at your local fish store or online. The Bicolor Dottyback may also hunt bristleworms that crawl around your fish tank. They should readily take pellet food and flake food. Providing a variety of foods to your fish will guarantee that they get a wider range of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

After providing a proper environment for your Bicolor Dottyback, it should do well with an assortment of fish such as Dwarf Angelfish, Anthias, Blennies, Chromis, Clownfish, Tangs, Foxfaces, and much more. They are relatively well adapted to living with different fish species.

I would take caution and avoid keeping your Pseudochromis with fish that can easily eat it. Fish such as Groupers, Lionfish, Puffers, and other predatory fish are bad tank mates. Also, keep in mind that Bicolor Dottybacks will likely compete for territory with fish that dwell around rockwork, and they may get aggressive with similar-looking fish. As an example, a Royal Gramma uses the same space in an aquarium and looks incredibly similar to the Bicolor Pseudochromis, this makes them very incompatible.

Due to their aggression and territorial behavior, the Bicolor Pseudochromis is not a good candidate for breeding in an aquarium.

If you’re looking for a flash of color in your reef tank or fish-only saltwater aquarium, really consider picking up a Bicolor Dottyback. They have very cool behaviors and interesting personalities after you look past their aggression. If the Bicolor Dottyback isn’t catching your eye, take a look at other dottyback fish here.