Orchid Dottyback

[Doug]

I have always wanted to have a trio of tank bred orchid dottybacks. Perhaps now is the time for that. My reef will be designed perfect for a fish of that type. And even though they are bullies, they are not going to bother my 13yr. old percs.

I imagine they would not be compatible with my pair of mandarins though>

[Madreefer]

I've tried trapping mine and even the fishing line with a hook trick. It's too smart for me to catch. My new build it's the only fish that won't be living in the new tank. It's killed hundreds of dollars worth of fish. I don't recommend them.

[LoJack]

And ornamental shrimp are out of the question ... Cleaners, Bloods, and peppermints will be on the menu with these little devils at maturity.

[Doug]

Okie dokie guys. Im crossing them off my list.

[LoJack]

haha sorry boss, figured I'd try and save you the heartbreak when you see them eating a shrimp buffet.

I had a neon that was peaceful right up until he wasn't anymore ... savagely attacked and killed a cleaner, and then didn't even eat the shrimp ... just moved on to the next one and started attacking him too

Its too bad too, cause the dottybacks all have so much character and add a ton of activity to your tank.

[Doug]

And I do like my shrimp. They are kind of stupid but add something different to the tank. I would to get another pair of fire shrimp

[Delphinus]

I never had issues with the orchid dottyback I kept for a few years (alongside clams shrimp and mandarins for that matter). They are the least-dottyback-like of the dottybacks at least as far as temperament goes (I guess they are still dottybacks ultimately).

I don't know how a trio would behave though. .. I dunno, hard to say.

The problem is if you cross fish off the list because they "might" one day become a problem to something else you potentially want in the tank .. you end up with a mighty short list. That said, I know I wouldn't want a sixline wrasse ever again and it's the same reasoning Madreefer uses, and I totally tell people not to try one if they ask me if they should, so I totally sympathize with that notion. Maybe they are better off in a nano type setup all to themselves.

[Doug]

Yes as I mentioned above Tony, although I love six lines, they are * holes.

The reason for 3 orchids, is thats whats suggested for a group if keeping more than one. A male and two females. And they are a stunning fish...plus the biggie, captive bred.

[Doug]

Originally Posted by Madreefer

I've tried trapping mine and even the fishing line with a hook trick. It's too smart for me to catch. My new build it's the only fish that won't be living in the new tank. It's killed hundreds of dollars worth of fish. I don't recommend them.

Wow. What fish did they kill ?

[Madreefer]

Well i've had him for several years so what I can remember is:
2 x rainford gobies
2 x black leopard wrasse
potters wrasse
diamond headed goby
scarlett wrasse
and many more that I dont remember
But on another note I had a school of 9 chromis that were doing great for months. I added the bellus angel in september and he pestered all of them and now there's only one left, and it was the smallest one. Go figure