Royal Dottyback

The Royal Dottyback, also called the Bicolor Dottyback, has a sharp division between a purple front half and a yellow rear half. Its colour resembles that of some other basslets, but its territorial behaviour deserves assessment on its own terms.

Create secure rocky retreats and avoid placing shy fish where they must share a narrow shelter entrance with the dottyback. It can confront fish larger than itself, so body size alone does not establish a peaceful match.

Feed small meaty foods and suitable frozen carnivore preparations. Ornamental shrimp can be eaten, and a reputation for hunting nuisance worms does not make this fish safe with all invertebrates. Check the existing shrimp and small-fish list before adding it to a reef community.