orchid dottyback?

Alex, you sound like me defending damsels. ;D

FTR, mine was a bicolor, and wild.

 

sounds like another fish is out I like the guys I have now. Couldn't imagine kicking them out for something more "exciting". I'm going to check out some crabs or shrimp instead. Thanks everyone

 

;D always good to hear the other side;D part of the reason I was interested in the orchid is I heard a LOT of people say similar nice things about them. I still want one, but Ill hold off until I have a larger tank.

What can I say, my guys are rebels. The barnacle is super tiny, maybe 1/2 inch? He lives in a button sized hole in the rock work for the past couple of years. No interest in the barnacles we got for him which works out since the tailspot loves them They have no interest in each other.

 

Sure I agree, and think Orchids are probably more docile and a much better choice then the purple or bi-color. What influences my opinion on this topic is tank size. If someone has a 100 gallon tank then yeah the Dottyback has plenty of room to stake out it's own territory, all other fish have the option of fleeing, there is enough room to do so.

There is nothing more frustrating than sitting there and watching a damsel or dottyback dart from it's lair to chase off every fish that dares to even swim remotely by. You always think to yourself well it will stop and it never does.

 

well, I'm going to go against the grain here and say I think you could add one more small fish. The barnacle blenny is super tiny and your other fish for the most part don't get huge. Now what that fish would be, I'm not sure. You'd want to say on the small side that's for sure. what about a firefish? You want something that stays middle of the tank, right? or maybe a yellow tailed damsel, they stay pretty small and many people here have found them to be peaceful.

 

As others have said, I would just be worried about territorial issues. You could get lucky an find one that won't be too aggressive, though.

Ah, yes, the rare and beautiful fishfish. I've been trying to find one for ages and haven't had luck yet. I will continue the search, however

 

we had a helfrinchi until recently when something weird happened to him. he seemed to lose control of his swimming ability (swim bladder issue?) and then seemed to go blind (bacterial/parasite?). He was very pretty, but that was the second one (the first died after a 6 day power loss) and those things are spendy. The red or purple are also very pretty though, and not so much $$. Something to think about.

 

Have you ever kept one in a small system Alex?? I definitely agree they are much more peacfull then most Dotty's.

 

small system!?!? I resent that sir! My 40b is grand, nay MAGNIFICENT! or, at least a big step up from my 20….:lol

 

+1 I have never had any luck with fish fish.I mean firefish.;D