Lyretail dottyback (Pseudochromis steenei)

Classification (WoRMS)

Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis · Family: Pseudochromidae · Genus: Pseudochromis.

Accepted name: Pseudochromis steenei · Authority: Gill & Randall, 1992 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 278206.

Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=278206 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Biology and life history (FishBase)

Measured values published by FishBase for Pseudochromis steenei. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.

Maximum length: 12 cm · Depth range: 8–100 m · Habitat zone: reef-associated · Body shape: elongated · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.

FishBase notes: Inhabits coastal patch reefs on soft bottom slopes. Highly territorial and aggressive. This and related species have been known to bite the camera housings of divers and kill aquarium tank mates (Ref. 9710). Solitary or in pairs (Ref 90102).

Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 14478) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Pseudochromis-steenei.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.

Conservation status (IUCN Red List)

The IUCN Red List assesses Pseudochromis steenei Gill & Randall, 1992 as Least Concern (code LC). No trend, population estimate or threat analysis is given here, because none is available from this source without the Red List API; follow the source link for the full assessment, including its date.

Source: IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (taxon 170730081) — https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/170730081/0; GBIF IUCN Red List category endpoint (taxonKey 2381650) — https://api.gbif.org/v1/species/2381650/iucnRedListCategory. Accessed 2026-09-25.

Description and natural history (Wikipedia)

A small marine fish that reaches five inches in length. Males are grey with a bright orange head, while females are dark grey.

Pseudochromis steenei is a hardy member of a saltwater aquarium. As one of the few saltwater aquarium fish that can be bred in captivity use of tank bred individuals in aquariums is often encouraged to reduce the pressure on wild populations.

Twenty five gallons is typically quoted as the minimum tank size required to permanently house this fish. It is best to house them in a species tank, or aquariums greater than a hundred gallons however or they may bother other species persistently. Because it typically ignores invertebrates it is considered reef safe, although it will sometimes attack shrimp.

It is more aggressive than most, and perhaps all, dottybacks and will often attack other fish and even people. It can be particularly territorial with members of its own species meaning it is best to only keep one in an aquarium. Despite its hardy nature, it should not be placed in an aquarium with larger predatory fish such as lionfish, and grouper which may see it as a food source.

Source: Wikipedia: Pseudochromis steenei — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pseudochromis_steenei (CC BY-SA 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.