Bicolor (Royal) Dottyback
Pictichromis paccagnellae
Original price was: $51.99.$26.99Current price is: $26.99.
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In Stock | 1.25 - 2.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $51.99.$26.99Current price is: $26.99. |
-
+
|
Every order ships with our standard 3-hour live arrival guarantee. Need more time? Add our 5-Day Guarantee at checkout.
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 | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | With Caution |
| Functional Benefit | Pest Control |
| 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 |
The Bicolor (Royal) Dottyback helps with pest control by hunting nuisance bristleworms while staying active around your rockwork. It shows a sharp two-tone pattern—deep purple on the front half and bright yellow on the back half—making it easy to spot in a reef tank. Adult size is about 3 inches, so it fits well in medium systems with plenty of structure.
What You’ll Observe:
- Short, quick darts between caves, then hovering near a chosen “home” spot
- Regular patrols along the rock face and inside crevices
- A fast response at feeding time, often meeting food in the water column
- A consistent daily routine of exploring, perching, and returning to the same hiding places
To succeed, provide a 30-gallon-or-larger aquarium with multiple caves and tight crevices so it can settle into a defined home area. Offer meaty frozen foods (like brine shrimp and other carnivore blends) and feed consistently so it stays bold at mealtimes. A rockscape with several separated “pockets” helps it share the tank smoothly with other fish that use different zones.
Should I add a Royal Dottyback early or late in my stocking plan?
Most hobbyists have the easiest time adding it after smaller peaceful fish are already established, so territories form more evenly.
Why does my dottyback seem to “disappear” at night?
Many dottybacks wedge into a rock crack to sleep, so it’s common to not see them again after lights-out.
Is it normal for a dottyback to “blow” at new corals or newly placed frags?
Some will investigate new additions by hovering close and jetting water; keeping frags securely mounted prevents them from getting shifted.
Does it tend to pick one cave and use it every day?
Yes—once it chooses a favorite crevice, it often returns to the same spot as a home base.
What’s a practical way to catch one if it needs to be moved later?
Feeding it into a fish trap over a few days works well, and many keepers also have success catching it after lights-out by gently blocking its sleeping crevice with a net.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
Recently viewed products
