Care
The Magenta Dottyback, sometimes also known as the Strawberry Fish, is known from the steeply sloping vertical drop-off areas at the edge of coral reefs. The aquarium must be mature and should include ample rockwork, arranged so that there is a plethora of small caves, crevices, channels, and overhangs that provide safe, shady hideaways for this species. Although this fish is less belligerent than some members of the same genus, it is still fairly feisty and should not be kept alongside placid fish such as firefish, dart gobies, grammas, and the like. They are best kept in a moderately aggressive reef community with fish that are not easily bullied. If the aquarium is very spacious, and has plenty of visual barriers amongst the décor, more than one specimen may be kept together if of the same size and introduced simultaneously. However, if the system is on the smaller side, keep just the one, as the males in particular can be very territorial. Most problems with aggression tend occur in smaller aquaria, as given sufficient space these fish will usually mind their own business. It is essential that the tank has tight fitting coverslides, as Magenta Dottybacks are expert jumpers. This fish is occasionally confused with the Orchid Dottyback, but the latter is easily distinguished by a black slash through its eye, and purple rather than hyaline (clear) fins. A varied, enriched diet will help to prevent any loss of colour in captivity.
Feeding
Offer a variety of small meaty foods such as Mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brineshrimp, plankton, finely shaved krill/mussel/cockle/clam etc. Some specimens will take prepared foods such as marine flake and pellets.
Breeding
This species has spawned in the home aquarium, but raising the young is extremely challenging. Adults can be very hard to pair off due to aggression and territoriality, so it is best to try and acquire a mated pair. When ready to spawn, the male fish will prepare a spawning site - usually a cave – and will then lure the female into it, where up to 500 eggs will be laid/fertilised. The parents will guard the eggs until they hatch. The tiny larvae initially feed off their yolk sacs, but will require appropriately sized foodstuffs soon after.
