{"product_id":"royal-dottyback","title":"Royal Dottyback","description":"\u003ch3\u003eRoyal Dottyback: The Feisty Bicolor Gem\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e (Pictichromis paccagnellae) is one of the most popular and hardy fish in the marine aquarium trade, highly prized for its striking and distinct coloration. It is also commonly mistaken for the \u003cstrong\u003eBicolor Dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e or \u003cstrong\u003eFalse Gramma Dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e because of its visual similarity to the much more peaceful Royal Gramma (Grammaloreto), a fish often confused with this species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis fish is instantly recognizable, featuring a bold two-toned pattern: the front half of its body is a vivid purple or magenta, which sharply divides mid-body to a bright sunny yellow that covers the posterior and tail. This small but feisty fish reaches a maximum size of only about \u003cstrong\u003e3 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e (7.5 cm) in length, making it suitable for smaller marine systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNative to the Western Pacific, the \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e is often recommended for beginner aquarists due to its hardiness and readiness to eat. However, its small size belies a highly territorial and aggressive personality, requiring careful tankmate selection to ensure a peaceful community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;\n\u003ch4\u003eDiet \u0026amp; Compatibility:\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e The \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e is a natural Carnivore and a micropredator, feeding on small worms and crustaceans in the wild. It readily accepts a wide variety of prepared meaty aquarium foods, including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped marine fish and shrimp flesh, and high-quality carnivore pellets. Feeding once daily is usually sufficient.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is Reef Safe With Caution. The fish will not harm corals, but it may prey on small ornamental invertebrates like small cleaner shrimp (e.g., sexy shrimp) and smaller crustaceans. A beneficial trait is its known appetite for nuisance \u003cstrong\u003ebristleworms\u003c\/strong\u003e, which it actively hunts and consumes.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e It is Semi-Aggressive \/ Highly Territorial. Despite its small size, the \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Dottyback\u003c\/strong\u003e is notorious for defending its chosen territory (usually a cave or crevice in the live rock) against any perceived intruder, even fish several times its size. For this reason, it should be the last fish introduced to a community tank, and it must be kept singly unless the aquarium is very large (100+ gallons) and has multiple distinct territories.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e Suitable tankmates are usually larger, robust, and moderately aggressive fish that are not easily intimidated, such as larger tangs, clownfish, or some hawkfish. Avoid keeping it with slow-moving or peaceful fish like most gobies and Firefish, which it may harass or prevent from feeding. It must also be kept away from similar-looking fish, such as the Royal Gramma ( Grammaloreto ), as it will relentlessly attack them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHousing:\u003c\/strong\u003e Due to its secretive nature, the aquarium must have plenty of live rock arranged to create numerous caves and crevices for shelter. Like many dottybacks, it is a known jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u0026lt;\u0026gt;\n\u003ch3\u003eQuick Facts\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Pictichromis paccagnellae\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary Common Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal Dottyback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Western Pacific Ocean (Indonesia to Vanuatu)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 inches (7.5 cm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Semi-Aggressive \/ Highly Territorial\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore (Meaty foods, including bristleworms)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 Gallons\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef Compatibility:\u003c\/strong\u003e With Caution (May eat small ornamental shrimp)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"SLA","offers":[{"title":"Medium (1.25-2\")","offer_id":67703159455834,"sku":"erf1791983377335","price":18.22,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0738\/0225\/2378\/files\/royal-dottyback_1.webp?v=1791983386","url":"https:\/\/softdrapefit.shop\/products\/royal-dottyback","provider":"My Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}