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Striped dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) — Pseudochromidae

Striped dottyback

Pseudochromis sankeyi

The Striped dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–10.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Africa: Djibouti, Tanzania, Yemen, Eritrea, Socotra Arch.
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Striped dottyback is a dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from reef water of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a slender, white with black longitudinal stripes body with a long, continuous dorsal fin. As a fiercely territorial, secretive fish it darts from crevice to crevice along coral and rock 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 Striped dottyback?

The Striped dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly black.

Where does the Striped dottyback live?

The Striped dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Africa: Djibouti, Tanzania, Yemen, Eritrea, Socotra Arch.

How big does the Striped dottyback get?

The Striped dottyback grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Striped dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Striped 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 Striped dottyback edible?

Yes, the Striped dottyback is commonly eaten.

More photos

Striped dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) — Pseudochromidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Striped dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) — Pseudochromidae — 3
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Striped dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) — Pseudochromidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Silke Baron (CC BY 2.0)
Striped dottyback (Pseudochromis sankeyi) — Pseudochromidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sylvain Le Bris, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Striped dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Pseudochromis sankeyi
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Striped dottyback; Schooling dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Black sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Africa: Djibouti, Tanzania, Yemen, Eritrea, Socotra Arch. 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

Same genus Pseudochromis

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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