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Marshall dottyback (Pseudochromis marshallensis) — Pseudochromidae

Marshall dottyback

Pseudochromis marshallensis
Family: Pseudochromidae

The Marshall dottyback (Pseudochromis marshallensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 8 cm.

Length
8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others

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Description

The Marshall dottyback is a dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from the central and western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 cm and has an elongate, brownish body. The brownish body bears fine rows of pale spots. 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 Marshall dottyback?

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

Where does the Marshall dottyback live?

The Marshall dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia and others

How big does the Marshall dottyback get?

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

Is the Marshall dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Marshall 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

Marshall dottyback (Pseudochromis marshallensis) — Pseudochromidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Marshall dottyback (Pseudochromis marshallensis) — Pseudochromidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Marshall dottyback (Pseudochromis marshallensis) — Pseudochromidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) uwkwaj, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Marshall dottyback (Pseudochromis marshallensis) — Pseudochromidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Wayne and Pam Osborn (CC BY 4.0)
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All data

Identification

English name
Marshall dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Pseudochromis marshallensis
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Marshall Is. dottyback; Orange-spotted dottyback; Yellowspeckled dottyback; Yellow-tail dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.0 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)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is., New Caledonia 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

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