Pseudochromis springeri
A hardy, captive-bred dottyback from the Red Sea.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The blue-striped dottyback, *Pseudochromis springeri*, is a small saltwater fish from the Red Sea and eastern Indian Ocean, reaching about two inches long. Its body is dark blue or black, with blue stripes running along its head and fins. The species is named after Victor G. Springer, an American ichthyologist at the Smithsonian Institution. In an aquarium, it is a hardy fish that can be bred in captivity, and using tank-bred individuals is encouraged to lessen pressure on wild populations and improve survival rates. Compared to other dottybacks, it is less aggressive, but it may still bother small, passive fish and shrimp. It is territorial, so it is best to keep only one per tank; if keeping more, they should be added at the same time. Despite its hardiness, it should not be housed with large predators like lionfish or grouper, which may eat it.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Pseudochromis springeri
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Pseudochromis springeri reaches two inches in length. It is dark blue or black with blue stripes along its head and fins. Its range includes the Red Sea and eastern Indian Ocean. The specific name honours the American ichthyologist Victor G. Springer of the Smithsonian Institution. It is less aggressive than most dottybacks but will sometimes harass small, passive fish and shrimp. It can be quite territorial, so it is best to keep only one in an aquarium. If more than one is kept, they must be added at the same time. It must not be placed with larger predatory fish such as lionfish and grouper, which will often see it as a food source.
Reader's Guide
Pseudochromis springeri is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium and can be bred in captivity. Use of tank-bred individuals is often encouraged to reduce pressure on wild populations and increase captive survival rates. Despite its hardy nature, it must not be placed in an aquarium with larger predatory fish such as lionfish and grouper, which will often see it as a food source.
Did You Know?
- Pseudochromis springeri is also known as the blue-striped dottyback.
- It reaches a maximum length of two inches.
- The species name honors American ichthyologist Victor G. Springer.
More in Gobies, Blennies & Basslets
Elsewhere in Reef Aquarium Species
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced