Dottyback

The dottybacks are a family, Pseudochromidae, of fishes which were formerly classified in the order Perciformes or considered incertae sedis percomorphs, but are now considered basal blenniiforms.^[2] Around 152 species belong to this family.^[3]

Quick Facts Dottybacks, Scientific classification ...

Dottybacks
Splendid dottyback Manonichthys splendens
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Actinopterygii
Order:	Blenniiformes
Family:	Pseudochromidae Müller & Troschel, 1849[1]
Subfamilies
Anisochrominae Congrogadinae Pseudochrominae Pseudoplesiopinae

Close

They are found in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific, where most inhabit coral reefs. Many species are brightly coloured fish, often showing striking sexual dimorphism. They are generally small, mostly less than 10 cm (4 in) in length, and some less than 2 cm (0.8 in).^[4] The largest by far, at up to 45 cm (1 ft 6 in), is Congrogadus subducens.^[5][6] Dottybacks are distinguished from other families by the presence of three or less spines in the dorsal fin and an incomplete lateral line organ.^[4]

Several of the brightly coloured members of the family are often seen in the marine aquarium trade, although some species are aggressively territorial.^[7]