Cherry Dottyback

Cherry Dottyback

The Cherry Dottyback (Pholidochromis cerasina) is a small, richly coloured reef fish cloaked in deep cherry-red, fading toward a paler belly. A relatively recent addition to the hobby, it has become popular for combining the jewel-like colour of a dottyback with a somewhat gentler temperament than the feistier Pseudochromis species. Hardy and reef-safe, it is an attractive splash of red for nano and small reef aquariums.

Like all dottybacks it is bold and likes cover, but it tends to be a little more easygoing than many of its relatives.

Natural Habitat & Origin

Pholidochromis cerasina is found in the western Pacific, where it lives close to the reef, sheltering among rock, rubble and crevices and darting out to feed. It is a secretive fish that quickly retreats into cover when disturbed.

In the aquarium it wants exactly that: plenty of live rock with holes and caves to claim as territory and shelter.

Care Requirements

Maintain stable marine conditions: salinity around 1.024–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, and a temperature of about 24–26°C (75–79°F). Reaching only about 8 cm (3 inches), it is well suited to tanks of around 75 litres (20 US gallons) and up, provided there is abundant rockwork. A secure lid is wise, as dottybacks can jump. It is hardy and tolerant of typical reef conditions.

Diet & Feeding

The Cherry Dottyback is a carnivore, feeding on small crustaceans and zooplankton in the wild. In the aquarium it eagerly accepts meaty foods: frozen mysis and enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood and quality marine pellets and flakes. Feed once or twice a day; it is an easy, enthusiastic feeder.

Behavior & Temperament

This is a semi-aggressive but comparatively even-tempered dottyback. It will defend a territory and can squabble with similar fish, but it is generally less belligerent than many Pseudochromis. It is best added later in a stocking plan so it cannot dominate the whole tank, and kept as a single specimen in smaller systems. It spends its time patrolling and defending its patch of rock.

Tank Mates

Pair it with robust tankmates that can hold their own — clownfish, damsels, larger wrasses and similar — rather than very shy or tiny fish. It is reef-safe with corals, though as a small predator it may eat ornamental shrimp, tiny crustaceans and bristleworms, which some keepers consider a useful trait.

Breeding

Dottybacks such as Pholidochromis cerasina are increasingly captive-bred, and tank-raised specimens — which tend to be hardy and well-adjusted — are sometimes available. Males guard a clutch of eggs in a crevice; rearing the larvae requires dedicated effort but is achievable for committed breeders.

Common Health Issues

The Cherry Dottyback is hardy and not especially disease-prone, but like all marine fish it can contract marine ich (Cryptocaryon irritans) or marine velvet (Amyloodinium ocellatum) under stress. Quarantine new arrivals, keep water quality stable, and secure the lid against jumping. Mindful of its bold temperament when choosing tankmates, it is otherwise an easy, colourful and rewarding fish — and a great splash of red for a small reef.