Thinking about mean little dottyback

salty joe

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I have a big tank and a couple dottybacks would be a nice addition except would they likely attack my diamond watchman goby? Would they likely attack cleaner shrimp? Would they likely attack mandarins?

Everything else can easily fend for themselves.
 

MnFish1

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I have a big tank and a couple dottybacks would be a nice addition except would they likely attack my diamond watchman goby? Would they likely attack cleaner shrimp? Would they likely attack mandarins?

Everything else can easily fend for themselves.
I had a neon dotty back - it never bothered anything. Which kind of dotty back are you thinking about?
 
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salty joe

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I was considering bi color or purple dottybacks. Maybe two or three of each. I don't have experience with them but do know they can be rowdy.
The tank's footprint is 4'x8' with lots of hiding spots. I wonder if multiple dottybacks would busy themselves with each other and leave everything else alone.

Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate your opinion if something like this might work out.
 

MnFish1

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I was considering bi color or purple dottybacks. Maybe two or three of each. I don't have experience with them but do know they can be rowdy.
The tank's footprint is 4'x8' with lots of hiding spots. I wonder if multiple dottybacks would busy themselves with each other and leave everything else alone.

Thanks for chiming in, I appreciate your opinion if something like this might work out.
The issue with any of these questions is that they work for some (depending on the fish) - and are a disaster with others. The only way to know is to try. Here is an article that may be helpful: https://www.tfhmagazine.com/article...the,the diadem dottyback Pictichromis diadema.
 

JNalley

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I have an Orchid Dottyback. The only two fish it ever attacked were the Lawnmower blenny and my Flame Hawkfish, both of which were introduced after the Dottyback. I have since added a Mandarin and a couple of clowns, and it doesn't even look twice at them. The Hawkfish and Lawnmower Blenny are also totally fine now (three years later).
 

MnFish1

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I have an Orchid Dottyback. The only two fish it ever attacked were the Lawnmower blenny and my Flame Hawkfish, both of which were introduced after the Dottyback. I have since added a Mandarin and a couple of clowns, and it doesn't even look twice at them. The Hawkfish and Lawnmower Blenny are also totally fine now (three years later).
Agree - I found mine more fighting for food than the rest - when feeding time came - but not anything as far as attacks on the rest of the tank.
 

PharmrJohn

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LOL, I was JUST pouring through some posts I made on 3Reef 14 years ago. I can't remember this, but I evidently got a magenta dottyback. I was not happy, as it terrorized my tank and I vowed NEVER AGAIN!
 

MnFish1

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LOL, I was JUST pouring through some posts I made on 3Reef 14 years ago. I can't remember this, but I evidently got a magenta dottyback. I was not happy, as it terrorized my tank and I vowed NEVER AGAIN!
This is an interesting comment - because I think a lot of reefers forget/ignore their bad decisions, and post the positive - no insult to you - it was a general comment
 

PharmrJohn

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This is an interesting comment - because I think a lot of reefers forget/ignore their bad decisions, and post the positive - no insult to you - it was a general comment
No insult taken. I'm more than happy to share my mistakes. I've made many lol!!! Cautionary tales are important.
 

littlefoxx

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I have a big tank and a couple dottybacks would be a nice addition except would they likely attack my diamond watchman goby? Would they likely attack cleaner shrimp? Would they likely attack mandarins?

Everything else can easily fend for themselves.
I have a neon dottyback in my 32 gallon. She doesnt bother anyone but the blenny when he comes near her barnacle. I got her a second barnacle and that solved the issue. No issues with her since
 

steveschuerger

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The one Dottyback not to get and I had one, is Splendid . Vicious overly territorial a-hats.
 

DCR

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I have had a least 3 neon dottybacks over the years and all were very aggresive. I have kept at least a half a dozen orchids and they are generally peaceful. Two of them would attack my Royal Grammas. I have also had a few springers with similar behavior to the orchids. I have not seen them get aggresive with shrimp or any bottom dwellers.
 
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