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Manyscale dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus) — Pseudochromidae

Manyscale dottyback

Lubbockichthys multisquamatus

The Manyscale dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
7.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–65.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, Indonesia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The manyscale dottyback is a dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from deeper reef and rocky water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender, red-brown body with a long, continuous dorsal fin. As a shy, territorial fish it darts from crevice to crevice deep in coral and rubble and snaps at small crustaceans and worms. Many dottybacks can change sex. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Manyscale dottyback?

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

Where does the Manyscale dottyback live?

The Manyscale dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, Indonesia and others

How big does the Manyscale dottyback get?

The Manyscale dottyback grows to a maximum of about 8 cm.

Is the Manyscale dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Manyscale 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 Manyscale dottyback edible?

Yes, the Manyscale dottyback is commonly eaten.

More photos

Manyscale dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus) — Pseudochromidae — 2
G. Allen, Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Manyscale dottyback (Lubbockichthys multisquamatus) — Pseudochromidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Mark Rosenstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Manyscale dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Lubbockichthys multisquamatus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Finescale dottyback; Fine-scaled dottyback; Pink dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.5 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Christmas I., Cocos Is. (Keel), Fiji, Indonesia 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

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

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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