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Big-eye dottyback (Pseudoplesiops typus) — Pseudochromidae

Big-eye dottyback

Pseudoplesiops typus
LC · Least Concern

The Big-eye dottyback (Pseudoplesiops typus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
6.0–65.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Nocturnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The bigeye dottyback is an extremely small, shy reef fish from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a yellow-brown to red-brown body with relatively large eyes. It lives very secretively in crevices, rubble and under coral of reefs and rarely emerges. It hunts small crustaceans and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Big-eye dottyback?

The Big-eye dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern. Very small and shy; lives hidden in reef crevices and rubble

Where does the Big-eye dottyback live?

The Big-eye dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Indo-West Pacific

How big does the Big-eye dottyback get?

The Big-eye dottyback grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Big-eye dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Big-eye dottyback is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Big-eye dottyback edible?

The Big-eye dottyback is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Big-eye dottyback verified
Scientific name
Pseudoplesiops typus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Hidden basslet; Ringeye dottyback; Ring-eyed dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.6 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
6.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Nocturnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Hidden dwarf jewel basslet; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Very small and shy; lives hidden in reef crevices and rubble sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pseudoplesiops

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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