Springeri Dottyback

Care Summary

The Springeri Dottyback is a small, captive-bred dottyback that is hardy, reef-safe, and one of the better dottyback options for community tanks due to its relatively moderate aggression. House it in 30+ gallons with rockwork for shelter; it claims a cave and defends it but is generally less murderous toward tankmates than Purple or Orchid Dottybacks in the same size class. Captive-bred ORA specimens are readily available and the obvious choice; they eat prepared foods from day one, are fully conditioned, and are consistently hardier than wild-collected fish. Feed frozen mysis and meaty small foods twice daily; dottybacks are carnivores and the rich blue and black coloration of the Springeri requires a protein-rich diet to stay vibrant.