50 Gallon Stocking

[Martinspuddle]

I see that some Basslets and Dottybacks are now listed as 'tank bred' and I'd suggest that maybe these might a bit more placid than their wild relatives.

[ZanaZoola14]

Basslets and Dottybacks can be tricky in a reef home aquarium. Both species can be aggressive and sometimes very territorial. In the wild they feed on shrimps, snails, crabs, worms, serpent stars, and small urchins and fish.

I kept a Flashback Pygmy Basslet (Pictichromis diadema) in my original 40 gallon reef, who thought nothing about attacking and killing my Red legged Hermit crabs as well as my Cleaner Shrimps. He was finally caught and sent packing back to the store.

Later, in my 120 gallon reef, I had a Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) and though this fish was small it would hound my Pyjama Wrasse all day long, also I'd find him occasionally attacking the Turbo Snails. So I gave him to my friend Kevin for his 180 gallon reef aquarium, but he didn't last very long in there ...you see, Kevin had a large pair of Banded Coral Shrimps and the Dottyback lost.


Kevin's aquarium

I guess I will have to be careful and watch them, however at least one basslet will happen either way, even if it means I don't have a cleaner shrimp in that tank.

[ZanaZoola14]

I see that some Basslets and Dottybacks are now listed as 'tank bred' and I'd suggest that maybe these might a bit more placid than their wild relatives.

Alright, I can always see if I can get ahold of the tank bred basslets then if possible.

Thanks for the reply.