Ryan Photographic - Pseudochromidae - Dottybacks


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Family Pseudochromidae

According to FishBase there are 98 species of dottybacks in 16 genera. The majority of information on the web is about keeping dottybacks in aquaria. The largest species reaches 50 cm but most are 10cm or smaller. In some species the sexes are different colors. Those I have photographed are typically investigating a small home range of at most a couple of meters. They will emerge from a crevice for a few seconds and then disappear into a crack only to emerge again a few secods later in a totally different location. This doesn't seem to be a response to my presence. I have observed dottybacks from a distance and their behavior remains the same. This makes them a challenge to photograph. But many of them are brightly colored and this makes the wait totally worthwhile.

Some dottybacks are mouthbrooders (that is they keep the eggs in their mouth until they hatch) but most lay eggs on the bottom where they are guarded by the male. They feed on small invertebrates and fish.

 

Cypho zaps dottyback

Cypho zaps dottyback, Raja Ampat, West Papua

FISH 3327 Cypho zaps dottyback, Raja Ampat, West Papua

Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback

Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef

FISH 8556 Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef

Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback

FISH 8546 Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef

Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef

FISH 8547 Pictichromis coralensis Bicolor dottyback, Steve's Bommie, Great Barrier Reef

Pseudochromis ammeri Raja dottyback

Pseudochromis ammeri Raja dottyback female, Raja Ampat, West Papua

FISH 0398(2) Pseudochromis ammeri Raja dottyback female, Raja Ampat, West Papua

Pseudochromis ammeri Raja dottyback female, Raja Ampat, West Papua

FISH 0398 Pseudochromis ammeri Raja dottyback female, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

Pseudochromis ammeri , Max's dottyback, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat.

Pseudochromis ammeri , Max's dottyback, male, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat.

Pseudochromis diadema Purpletop dottyback

Pseudochromis diadema Purpletop dottyback, Puerto Galera, Philippiines

FISH 4832 Pseudochromis diadema Purpletop dottyback, Puerto Galera, Philippines.

Pseudochromis flavivertex Sunrise dottyback

Sunrise dottyback

FISH 2053 Pseudochromis flavivertex Sunrise dottyback Red Sea

Pseudochromis fridmani Purple Dottyback

Pseudochromis fridmani Purple Dottyback Red Sea

FISH 2024 Pseudochromis fridmani Purple Dottyback Red Sea

Pseudochromis fuscus Dusky dottyback

Pseudochromis fuscus Dusky dottyback Raja Ampat

FISH 0020 Pseudochromis fuscus Dusky dottyback Raja Ampat.

Pseudochromis perspicillatus Southeast Asian blackstripe dottyback

Pseudochromis perspicillatus Southeast Asian blackstripe dottyback, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat

FISH 7998 Pseudochromis perspicillatus Southeast Asian blackstripe dottyback, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat.

Pseudochromis perspicillatus Southeast Asian blackstripe dottyback, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat

FISH 8004 Pseudochromis perspicillatus Southeast Asian blackstripe dottyback, Kri Eco, Raja Ampat.

Pseudochromis porphyreus Magenta dottyback

Pseudochromis porphyreus Magenta dottyback, Raja Ampat, West Papua

FISH 3010 Pseudochromis porphyreus Magenta dottyback, Raja Ampat, West Papua

Pseudochromis splendens Splendid dottyback

Pseudochromis splendens Splendid dottyback, Raja Ampat, West Papua

FISH 3959 Pseudochromis splendens Splendid dottyback, Raja Ampat, West Papua.

Pseudochromis splendens Splendid dottyback Raja Ampat

FISH 9649 Pseudochromis splendens Splendid dottyback Raja Ampat.

 

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