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Doublestripe dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) — Pseudochromidae

Doublestripe dottyback

Pseudochromis bitaeniatus
Family: Pseudochromidae

The Doublestripe dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–38.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Palau and others

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Description

The Doublestripe dottyback is a dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 12 cm and has an elongate, brownish body. Two dark longitudinal stripes run over the flank. As a cryptic reef-dweller it shelters in crevices and under overhanging coral and snaps at small crustaceans and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Doublestripe dottyback?

The Doublestripe dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Doublestripe dottyback live?

The Doublestripe dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Palau and others

How big does the Doublestripe dottyback get?

The Doublestripe dottyback grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Doublestripe dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Doublestripe 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.

More photos

Doublestripe dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) — Pseudochromidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Doublestripe dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) — Pseudochromidae — 3
Doug Hoese (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — AM
Doublestripe dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) — Pseudochromidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Rickard Zerpe (CC BY 2.0)
Doublestripe dottyback (Pseudochromis bitaeniatus) — Pseudochromidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) craigjhowe, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Doublestripe dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Pseudochromis bitaeniatus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Double-striped dottyback; Slender dottyback; Two-lined dottyback; Double-stripe dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
38.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Indonesia, Malaysia, Micronesia, Palau and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
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 Pseudochromis

Bluebarred dottyback (Pseudochromis cyanotaenia) — Pseudochromidae
Bluebarred dottyback
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 Brown dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus) — Pseudochromidae
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 Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) — Pseudochromidae
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 Plain dottyback (Pseudochromis litus) — Pseudochromidae
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 Yellow-spotted dottyback (Pseudochromis flavopunctatus) — Pseudochromidae
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 Yellow dottyback (Pseudochromis luteus) — Pseudochromidae
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More from the family Pseudochromidae

Australian dottyback (Ogilbyina novaehollandiae) — Pseudochromidae
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 Plain dottyback (Pseudochromis litus) — Pseudochromidae
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Fin

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