🐠 Striped Dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi)
Distinct Black-and-White Stripes With Transparent Fins • A Colonial Species, Unusual for the Family • One of the Calmest Dottybacks
 
📋 The Striped Dottyback, also known as Sankey's Dottyback, has a striking body marked with distinct horizontal black-and-white stripes running its full length, with transparent fins and a tail that tapers almost to a point.
It comes from the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden in the western Indian Ocean, where it lives in small colonies within rock rubble at relatively shallow depths, favouring reef structure and the shelter of plating corals. Unlike many dottybacks' reputation as feisty little bullies, this species is one of the least territorial in the entire family, thanks to its natural colonial lifestyle: individuals normally coexist peacefully when introduced together at the same time. Every Striped Dottyback we ship is feeding well.
It's shy and secretive at first, especially right after introduction, then becomes noticeably bolder and spends more time out in the open. It's fully reef safe, and it's a useful natural pest controller, preying on bristleworms. It may still pester smaller, more timid fish, so it does best with larger, somewhat confident tankmates. It reaches up to 8cm, so plan on at least 115L.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Black-and-White Striped Body: A striking, distinctive dottyback
👥 One of the Calmest Dottybacks: A colonial species, unusual for the family
🌿 Fully Reef Safe: Won't harm corals or invertebrates
🪱 A Natural Pest Hunter: Preys on nuisance bristleworms
😌 Shy at First: Becomes noticeably bolder once settled