Dottybacks · Pseudochromidae
Care levelExpert
Australian Multicolor Dottyback
Ogilbyina novaehollandiae
Adult male with orange-red head, gray-black body and yellow tail, fine blue trimming on several fins. Robust elongated body. A powerful, aggressive fish for a carefully planned predatory community.
Feeding is usually straightforward compared with managing its strong aggression and predation. Experienced stocking decisions are essential.
Recommendation
Would you recommend this fish for a suitable saltwater aquarium?
50+ galRecommended tank
4 inchesAdult size
Aggressive / predatoryTemperament
Generally compatibleCoral safety
+ Why you’ll love them
- Distinctive Australian Multicolor appearance.
- Rockwork and sheltered crevices provide natural cover.
- Suitable marine meaty foods can support a varied captive diet.
! Things to consider
- Strong aggression and predation can make small fish unsafe.
- Ornamental shrimp and small crustaceans are prey risks.
- Other dottybacks may provoke disputes; gallons alone do not create separate territories.
Tank and habitat
- Recommended volume
- 50 US gallons or larger; allow for stocking and layout.
- Full-grown size
- 4 inches (maximum adult size)
- Tank footprint and swimming space
- Use a tank with substantial horizontal rockwork, multiple shaded caves and broken sight lines. Distribute shelters rather than creating one contested cave. Group stocking may need much more room than the individual reference.
- Tank maturity
- Use a fully cycled, stable marine aquarium with established shelter and filtration. No dependable species-specific month threshold is established here; age alone does not prove readiness. Suggested tank age is a planning guide, not proof of readiness. Complete cycling, stable water and the right food supply are essential.
- Habitat and equipment
- Secure porous rockwork, shaded crevices, unobstructed feeding access and suitable flow. Cover escape openings and protect intakes. Retain several escape routes for less assertive inhabitants.
Care and compatibility
- Temperament
- Aggressive / predatory
- Why this care level
- Feeding is usually straightforward compared with managing its strong aggression and predation. Experienced stocking decisions are essential.
- Suitable tank mates and conflicts
- Very aggressive / predatory: small fish including gobies, firefish and basslets may be attacked or eaten. Avoid timid fish and mixed dottybacks. Robust tank mates and extra space do not guarantee safety.
- Alone, pair or group
- One individual is the simpler plan. Do not assume a random pair, a large group or different dottyback species will coexist. Specialist breeding arrangements do not establish safety for arbitrary adults. Use a confirmed pair only with suitable expert guidance and separate if necessary.
Corals and invertebrates
- Coral safety
-
Generally compatible
Generally compatible with coral tissue. Coral safety does not mean compatibility with all fish or invertebrates; monitor the individual. - Shrimp safety
-
Not compatible
Treat ornamental shrimp as potential prey. Small, newly introduced or molting shrimp are particularly vulnerable; feeding well does not eliminate predation. - Snail safety
-
Generally compatible
Established shelled aquarium snails are generally compatible; tiny invertebrates and larvae may be eaten. - Clam safety
-
Generally compatible
Generally compatible with clam tissue. Observe individual behavior and ensure that clam requirements are met independently.
Food and feeding
- Diet
- Carnivore; varied marine meaty foods
- Feeding plan
- Offer appropriately sized, varied marine meaty meals in small portions multiple times daily. Make sure food reaches the rockwork without leaving excessive waste. Confirm actual intake and body condition.
- Prepared or live food
- Mysis, enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped suitable marine seafood; quality carnivore pellets or flakes if the individual accepts them. Obtain the seller’s established feeding routine.
Water conditions
- Temperature
- 72–78 °F (22–26 °C). Published supplier aquarium reference range. Maintain stability and consider every inhabitant.
- Specific gravity
- Specific gravity 1.020–1.025 is the tropical fish-care reference used here. Also meet the needs of corals and other invertebrates; avoid abrupt changes.
- pH
- pH 8.1–8.4. Keep conditions stable and monitor alkalinity rather than making abrupt corrections.
Long-term care
- Lifespan
- The sources used here do not establish a dependable typical captive lifespan for this entry. Plan for long-term care rather than an invented numerical average.
- Growth and future planning
- The supplier gives an approximate adult reference of 4 inches. Sex, age and locality may affect appearance; plan for adult space rather than purchase size.
Before you buy
- Is this fish right for your tank?
- The supplier lists 50 US gallons or larger as an individual aquarium reference. Very aggressive / predatory: small fish including gobies, firefish and basslets may be attacked or eaten. Avoid timid fish and mixed dottybacks. Robust tank mates and extra space do not guarantee safety.
- Buying checklist
- Confirm Ogilbyina novaehollandiae, observe feeding, inspect fins and breathing, and obtain origin and feeding details. Australian Multicolor Dottyback is listed as Ogilbyina novaehollandiae. Sex and age can affect the markings shown; the illustration represents one appearance. Plan quarantine before introduction.
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