Bicolor Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae)

The Bicolor Dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) is one of the most eye-catching small reef fish in the hobby: brilliant magenta from the snout to mid-body, then razor-cut transition to electric yellow on the back half. It maxes out around 3 inches, is reef-safe with corals and motile inverts, and has a bold personality that fills out a 30+ gallon mixed reef. Pair it with our other saltwater fish and reef-safe livestock.

Dottybacks are semi-aggressive cave-dwellers. They claim a rockwork hole as home base and dart out to grab pods, mysis, and pellets. Provide plenty of live rock with overhangs and crevices and this fish will reward you with constant out-front activity.

Care Guide

• Tank size: 30 gallons minimum. A long footprint with rockwork hideouts is more important than tall depth.
• Diet: Carnivore. Frozen mysis, brine, finely chopped seafood, and high-quality marine pellets. Will also eat live copepods and small bristleworms in the rockwork.
• Feeding frequency: Twice daily. Vary the menu to keep colors saturated.
• Temperament: Semi-aggressive. Bold for its size, will defend a chosen cave from much larger tank mates.
• Reef safe: Yes with corals. Will pick at very small ornamental shrimp; large cleaner shrimp and hermits are safe.
• Acclimation: Slow drip acclimate over 45 to 60 minutes. Lights off for the first few hours to let it find a cave without harassment.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

Best kept singly. A second Bicolor Dottyback in the same system almost always ends with one dead unless the tank is very large and rockwork is split into clearly distinct territories. Do not mix with other dottyback species. Good company for most clownfish, larger gobies, wrasses, tangs, and Anthias. Avoid pairing with very timid or slow eaters (small jawfish, juvenile firefish) since the Dottyback will out-compete them at meals.

Reef-safe with hard and soft corals, clams, snails, larger crabs, and adult cleaner shrimp. Tiny sexy shrimp and very small ornamental shrimp may be picked off.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• BRS Premium Saltwater Fish Food Pellets — daily staple sinking pellet sized for small to mid reef fish.
• Piscine Energetics PE Pellets 2 mm — high-protein meaty pellet that brings out the magenta.
• SFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis — easy-store frozen alternative for daily feedings.
• Reef Nutrition Tigger Feast — live copepods to seed the rockwork and give the Dottyback natural prey to hunt.
• Salt mixes — keep parameters rock-solid with a quality synthetic salt.

FAQ

Will it nip my corals or clean-up crew?
No to corals, no to snails and larger hermits. Be cautious with very small ornamental shrimp (sexy shrimp, baby cleaners). Adult cleaner and skunk shrimp are usually left alone.

How is it different from a Royal Gramma?
The Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto) has a soft, blended fade between the purple and yellow halves. The Bicolor Dottyback has a sharp, knife-edge split between magenta and yellow. The Gramma is more peaceful; the Dottyback is more bold.

Can I keep two?
Strongly discouraged unless your tank is at least 100 gallons with multiple isolated rockwork sections. Even then, one tends to dominate.

Does it really stay this colorful?
Yes, with a varied protein-rich diet (mysis, brine, pellets, occasional pods). Color holds for the fish's life of roughly 5 to 7 years in captivity.