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Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) — Pseudochromidae

Du Toit's dottyback

Pseudochromis dutoiti

The Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Bassas da India, Mozambique, Pakistan, Seychelles, South Africa
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

Du Toit's dottyback is a small, colourful reef fish (Pseudochromidae) from the western Indian Ocean. The species grows to about 9 cm and has an elongate body with a blue-grey forebody grading to yellow-orange at the tail. As a territorial bottom-dweller it shelters in crevices and holes of coral and rocky reefs and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans and appears in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Du Toit's dottyback?

The Du Toit's dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Du Toit's dottyback live?

The Du Toit's dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Bassas da India, Mozambique, Pakistan, Seychelles, South Africa

How big does the Du Toit's dottyback get?

The Du Toit's dottyback grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Du Toit's dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Du Toit's 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 Du Toit's dottyback edible?

Yes, the Du Toit's dottyback is commonly eaten.

More photos

Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) — Pseudochromidae — 2
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) — Pseudochromidae — 3
SAIAB (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) — Pseudochromidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Du Toit's dottyback (Pseudochromis dutoiti) — Pseudochromidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Carmelo López Abad, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Du Toit's dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Pseudochromis dutoiti
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Dutoiti verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Africa: Bassas da India, Mozambique, Pakistan, Seychelles, South Africa sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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