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Darkstriped dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) — Pseudochromidae

Darkstriped dottyback

Labracinus cyclophthalmus
LC · Least Concern

The Darkstriped dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 24 cm.

Length
23.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–20.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Indo-West Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The fire-tail devil is a colourful reef fish from the Indo-West Pacific, widespread in the Indo-Malayan Archipelago from southern Japan to the northwest shelf of Australia. The species grows to about 24 cm and has an elongate, mostly red body with a dark, curved marking around the eye. It lives hidden near coral or rock on shallow reefs between 2 and 20 metres depth and hunts small fish. The species is bred in captivity and is popular in the marine aquarium trade. The IUCN assesses the species as Least Concern (LC).

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Darkstriped dottyback?

The Darkstriped dottyback has a flattened, disc-shaped body, is mainly red-orange and shows a plain pattern. Predominantly red with a curved eye marking; secretive reef hunter

Where does the Darkstriped dottyback live?

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

How big does the Darkstriped dottyback get?

The Darkstriped dottyback grows to a maximum of about 24 cm.

Is the Darkstriped dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Darkstriped 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 Darkstriped dottyback edible?

The Darkstriped dottyback is not usually eaten.

More photos

Darkstriped dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) — Pseudochromidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) donnymidas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Darkstriped dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) — Pseudochromidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) 柯, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Darkstriped dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) — Pseudochromidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 呂一起(Lyu yi-chi), some rights reserved (CC BY))
Darkstriped dottyback (Labracinus cyclophthalmus) — Pseudochromidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Jens Sommer-Knudsen, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Darkstriped dottyback verified
Scientific name
Labracinus cyclophthalmus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Darkstriped dottyback; Emperor devil; Fire-tail devil; Firetail dottyback; Giant dottyback; Red dottyback; Spottysail dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
23.5 verified
Body shape
Flat / disc-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
20.0 verified
Natural range
Indo-West Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small fishes and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
Yes inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Resident fish at coral and rock; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Predominantly red with a curved eye marking; secretive reef hunter sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Fishing with natural bait (fish, shrimp, worm) or lures close to reef and rock structures. 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 Labracinus

More from the family Pseudochromidae

Fin

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