Bicolor Dottyback
Pictichromis diadema
Price range: $15.99 through $18.99
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
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| In Stock | 1.25 - 2.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $34.99.$18.99Current price is: $18.99. |
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| Only 9 left | 1.25" or smaller - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $29.99.$15.99Current price is: $15.99. |
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Full guarantee terms →Ships Monday – Thursday for next-day arrival at your nearest FedEx Hold location — typically ready by 9 AM. We monitor every delivery.
Shipping details →
Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 30 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
Often sold as the Diadem or Purple Stripe Dottyback, Pictichromis diadema is a compact reef fish with a bright yellow body and a bold purple stripe running along the top of the back. It’s commonly associated with Indo-Pacific reef habitats and tends to “claim” rockwork as home base once settled.
What You’ll Observe:
- Short, fast dashes between caves, then hovering at the entrance of a favorite crevice
- Regular “patrol” loops around one rock structure, especially at feeding time
- A strong feeding response to meaty frozen foods and other small carnivore fare
- Quick, confident interactions with nearby fish that pass close to its chosen hiding spots
Provide a rockscape with multiple caves and broken sight-lines so it can establish a territory without controlling the whole tank. Offer small meaty foods (like brine shrimp and other frozen preparations) on a consistent schedule for best results.
Will it go after cleaner shrimp or small ornamental shrimp?
Many keepers report dottybacks may treat small shrimp as food, especially if the shrimp share the same rockwork zones.
Is it normal if it stays in the rocks a lot during the first week?
Yes—many settle in by picking one “home” cave, then expand their patrol area as they learn the tank’s routine.
Does adding it later (instead of early) make a difference?
Often yes; letting other fish establish first can reduce how much territory it tries to control.
Can you keep two dottybacks together?
It sometimes works as a bonded pair, but most hobbyists have better long-term results keeping a single dottyback per tank.
What’s the easiest way to add new fish after a dottyback is established?
Using an acclimation box or briefly changing a few rock positions can help reset “ownership” cues without disrupting the whole tank.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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