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Brown dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus) — Pseudochromidae

Brown dottyback

Pseudochromis fuscus
LC · Least Concern

The Brown dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The brown dottyback (Pseudochromis fuscus) is a small, colour-variable reef fish of the Indo-Pacific, from Sri Lanka to Vanuatu, north to Hong Kong and the Ryukyu Islands and south to Western Australia and the southern Great Barrier Reef. It grows to 10 centimetres and lives reef-associated at 2-30 metres, often among branching corals such as Acropora and Pocillopora. The colour varies widely, from almost blackish brown to bright yellow. It is a solitary, territorial predator with an elongate, compressed body. The species is popular in the marine aquarium trade and is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Brown dottyback?

The Brown dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a plain pattern.

Where does the Brown dottyback live?

The Brown dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Brown dottyback get?

The Brown dottyback grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Brown dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Brown dottyback is harmless to humans.

Is the Brown dottyback edible?

The Brown dottyback is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Bruine juweelbaars inferred
English name
Brown dottyback verified
Scientific name
Pseudochromis fuscus
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Dusky dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Plain sourced
Tail shape
Rounded sourced
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No verified
Dorsal fins
One continuous verified
Dorsal spines
Yes verified

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary verified
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

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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