Red Dottyback
Labracinus cyclophthalmus
Original price was: $161.99.$85.99Current price is: $85.99.
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Only 1 left | 2.25 - 4.25" - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $161.99.$85.99Current price is: $85.99. |
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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.
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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 | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 70 gallons |
| Max Size | 8 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Red Dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) is a large-bodied dottyback often sold under “Dampieria grouper” type names, with an orange-red base color and a darker spot in the dorsal area as it matures. It tends to claim a section of rockwork and patrol it like a small predator, especially once settled.
What You’ll Observe:
- Short, fast dashes between caves, then hovering at the entrance as it watches the tank
- A “patrol loop” behavior where it repeatedly checks the same rock ledges and overhangs
- Digging and sand-moving around its chosen home area, especially when establishing a spot
- Bold feeding responses, often coming out quickly at mealtime
- Increased guarding behavior once it has a preferred cave or ledge
To succeed, provide sturdy rockwork with multiple bolt-holes and a defined “home” zone it can adopt. Offer meaty foods (like mysis, chopped shrimp, and similar frozen carnivore fare) on a consistent schedule to keep it engaged. Plan tankmates around its space-use so other fish have room to avoid its claimed area.
Does this fish dig or move sand on purpose?
Many keepers report it will excavate around a favored cave or ledge, shifting sand and rubble to “reshape” the entrance area.
Why does it sometimes pick up or harass snails and small clean-up crew?
Some individuals investigate moving inverts like prey items, and the behavior often increases once the fish has fully settled into its territory.
Is it normal for a dottyback to “blow” at corals or push frags?
Keepers commonly describe dottybacks directing jets of water or nudging new additions, especially right after a frag is placed or moved.
Will its personality change after it has been in the tank for a while?
Hobbyists often see a shift from “staying hidden” to more active patrolling once it has chosen a permanent home area.
Why does it chase a fish that never bothered it before?
Territorial fish can re-check boundaries as they grow or as aquascape/tankmates change, so a previously ignored fish may start getting escorted away from the dottyback’s preferred zone.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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