{"product_id":"royal-dottyback-pictichromis-paccagnellae","title":"Royal Dottyback | Pictichromis paccagnellae","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSplit sharply into magenta and yellow, the Royal Dottyback is a vivid, hardy little fish that is hard to miss. Reef safe but territorial, so plenty of rock and careful stocking help.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoyal Dottybacks inhabit reef crevices and rubble areas where they stay close to shelter and defend a chosen cave or rock zone. Its natural range is Western Pacific reefs, rubble slopes and coral-rich rockwork. These fish are closely associated with rock, coral bases, ledges or cave openings, so they feel safest in aquariums with layered aquascaping and multiple retreat points. Open, bare tanks can make them nervous or overly defensive, while a structured reef gives them clear boundaries and reduces stress.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eRoyal Dottyback has the body shape and behaviour expected from its group, with quick movement, alert eyes and a preference for staying near shelter. Colour and markings are species-specific, but healthy specimens should show clear fins, strong body condition and confident feeding. The adult size is generally 6–7 cm, making this species suitable for carefully planned marine aquariums where space and tank mates are considered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as Bold, territorial and semi-aggressive. Grammas and assessors are usually more peaceful cave dwellers, while many dottybacks can be bold and territorial despite their small size. Suitable tank mates include clownfish, cardinalfish, gobies, blennies, peaceful wrasse, chromis and appropriately sized tangs in larger systems. Avoid adding this fish to tanks dominated by large predators or very aggressive damsels, and avoid mixing similar dottybacks unless the aquarium is large with plenty of broken rockwork.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species should be fed as a Carnivore; frozen mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, small krill and marine pellets. Offer small portions once or twice daily and vary the diet to maintain colour, body weight and immune strength. Frozen mysis shrimp is an excellent staple, while enriched brine shrimp can help new arrivals begin feeding. Small sinking pellets or finely chopped seafood are useful once the fish is settled. Because these fish often feed close to rockwork, ensure food reaches their territory rather than being taken only by faster open-water swimmers.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium size of 100 L, with 150 L or larger recommended for long-term comfort or community setups. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.024–1.026. Moderate water flow is ideal, with calmer pockets near caves. Lighting can match the reef system, but shaded retreats are important. Use strong biological filtration, a quality protein skimmer and regular water changes of 10–20% as needed to keep nitrate and phosphate stable. Aquascaping should include caves, overhangs and visual barriers. This fish does not school and is usually kept singly unless a known compatible pair is supplied.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePairs can spawn in protected caves, but pairing must be done carefully due to territorial aggression. Larval rearing is specialised. In many cave-dwelling marine fish, spawning behaviour involves cleaning a protected surface or nest site and defending the area. Larval rearing is rarely simple because fry require very small live foods, stable water and separate rearing systems. Most hobbyists should focus on providing stable care and watching for natural courtship behaviour rather than expecting easy breeding in a display tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePictichromis paccagnellae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRoyal Dottyback\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific reefs, rubble slopes and coral-rich rockwork\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e6–7 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBold, territorial and semi-aggressive\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner to intermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; frozen mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, small krill and marine pellets\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.024–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarine aquariums, reef aquariums and fish-only systems with suitable tank mates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes, reef safe with caution around tiny shrimp\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful clownfish, cardinalfish, gobies, blennies, peaceful wrasse, chromis, assessors, grammas, small tangs in larger systems and robust reef-safe invertebrates. Choose tank mates that are not small enough to be bullied and not aggressive enough to trap the fish away from food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large predatory fish, aggressive triggers, lionfish, groupers, highly aggressive damsels, multiple similar dottybacks in small aquariums, delicate timid fish that cannot compete for food, and very small ornamental shrimp if the species is known to be predatory.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351894999331,"sku":null,"price":49.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55226960052515,"sku":"AA1467","price":59.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Royal_Dottyback_Pictichromis_paccagnellae_5dc90ce0-7431-4c3e-b349-08d427fedd02.jpg?v=1781681144","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/royal-dottyback-pictichromis-paccagnellae","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}