Dottybacks Morgan Oliver Aquaculture 2014. What are Dottybacks?  Family Pseudochromidae, Genus Pseudochromis  Ornamentals  Found in coral reefs in.

Presentation on theme: "Dottybacks Morgan Oliver Aquaculture 2014. What are Dottybacks?  Family Pseudochromidae, Genus Pseudochromis  Ornamentals  Found in coral reefs in."— Presentation transcript:

1 Dottybacks Morgan Oliver Aquaculture 2014

2 What are Dottybacks?  Family Pseudochromidae, Genus Pseudochromis  Ornamentals  Found in coral reefs in the wild  Cheaper in aquaculture  More readily available now

3 More basic info Hermaphroditic Hardy aquarium fish, adapt quickly territorial May eat tankmate, can be aggressive Prefer dim tanks

4 Picture perfect

5 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Orchid dottyback A. fridmani territorial Most “laid back”

6 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Diadema dottyback P. diadema Semi-aggressive Like to be hidden

7 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Striped dottyback P. sankeyi Live in colonies Less aggressive

8 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Sunrise dottyback P. flavivertex Moderately aggressive/territorial

9 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Bicolor dottyback P. paccagnellae Aggressive and territorial

10 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Elongate dottyback P. elongatus less aggressive rare

11 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Magenta dottyback P. porphyreus Similar to orchid dottyback

12 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Indigo dottyback P. fridmani x sankeyi Show mild behavior of striped dottyback

13 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Neon dottyback P. aldabraensis Aggressive

14 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Black margin dottyback P. tapeinosoma Very aggressive to conspecifics (same species)

15 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Springeri dottyback P. springeri Aggressive to conspecifics

16 Taxonomy- aquacultured species Splendid dottyback M. splendens May eat crustaceans Somewhat aggressive

17 Cost Very expensive if caught in wild Much cheaper in aquaculture Can find them in most pet stores

18 Life cycle of reef fishes Adults spawn Hatched larvae are taken to open ocean where they feed on zooplankton near surface Larvae mature and become equipped to survive pelagic environment Few make it back to the reef, transfer into juveniles, and then sexually mature into adults

19 Reproduction in captivity and production methods One mated pair per tank They are hermaphroditic, one will grow larger and become the male Females spawn 2-4 times/month Males responsible for eggs

20 Reproduction in captivity and production methods Female deposits eggs into male’s nest Male fertilizes and cares for the eggs After spawning, eggs hatch on the evening of 5 th day

21 Reproduction in captivity and production methods Transparent larvae Separated from adults Active in the entire water column Grow very fast when taken care of correctly

22 Reproduction in captivity and production methods Day 9- slight coloration Day 20- juveniles, not larvae Day 25-30 – juveniles start to settle out and need hiding places to undergo metamorphosis Adult coloration within 7 days Stay in hiding and eat what floats by Rapid growth

23 Feeds and feeding Preferably, foods high in natural pigments Plankton, bloodworms, brine shrimp, pellets, flakes Live rock is helpful

24 Water chemistry and culture requirements Salt water Lots of hiding places and low light, since they are used to deep water Alkalinity: 124-214 ppm pH- 8.1-8.4 Temp- 22-26 C

25 AdvantagesDisadvantages  Beautiful  Must feed correctly or they’ll lose color  Very hardy  Not easy to grow  Adults= easy to take care of  Aggressive and territorial  Not picky eaters  Can be expensive

26 sources http://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=2x W7U9z0ErHSsASfn4D4AQ&ved=0CAQQqi4oAghttp://www.google.com/imghp?hl=en&tab=wi&ei=2x W7U9z0ErHSsASfn4D4AQ&ved=0CAQQqi4oAg http://www.orafarm.com/products/fish/dottybacks http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2002-02/hcs3/index.php http://www.advancedaquarist.com/2003/3/breeder http://www.rcthawaii.com/reproduction/4.htm http://www.seaandreef.com/marine-ornamental- fish/dottybacks/orchid-dottybackhttp://www.seaandreef.com/marine-ornamental- fish/dottybacks/orchid-dottyback