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Royal dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) — Pseudochromidae

Royal dottyback

Pictichromis paccagnellae

The Royal dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) is a fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

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Description

The royal dottyback is a small dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has an elongate body with a vivid, sharply divided colour scheme: the front half is purple-pink, the rear half bright yellow. As a shy, territorial bottom-dweller it darts among coral crevices and overhangs and snaps at small crustaceans and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Royal dottyback?

The Royal dottyback is mainly multicoloured.

Where does the Royal dottyback live?

The Royal dottyback is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Royal dottyback get?

The Royal dottyback grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Royal dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Royal 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

Royal dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) — Pseudochromidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Karelj (Public domain)
Royal dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) — Pseudochromidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Jenny (JennyHuang) from Taipei (CC BY 2.0)
Royal dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) — Pseudochromidae — 4
Mark Rosenstein (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Royal dottyback (Pictichromis paccagnellae) — Pseudochromidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Andy Dalton, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Royal dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Pictichromis paccagnellae
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Two-tone dottyback; Bicolor cichlops; Royal dotty back; Two-colour dottyback

Appearance

Size class
Small
Max length (cm)
6 sourced
Dominant colour
Multicoloured sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock 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

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 Pictichromis

More from the family Pseudochromidae

Fin

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