Dottybacks are colorful and feisty fish with many fantastic qualities. They are not shy, instead always active and swimming in and out of the rockwork ensuring their bright colors may be enjoyed. Plenty of caves and decor will help them feel secure and spend more time in the open. They are intelligent and can hold their own against larger aggressive fish, but are not recommended with small docile species which they will bully. Dottybacks are hardy fish which are easy to feed and disease resistant making them easy to keep. If they are to be kept together they must be added at the same time to a sufficiently large aquarium with plenty of hiding places, and aggressive species not added before more aggressive ones. Best tank mates include angels, tangs, foxface, clowns, damsels, chromis, Toby puffers and large cardinals and gobies. All but the smallest species may be kept with hawkfish, triggers and large pufferfish.Dottybacks are coral safe but may attack and consume crustaceans, especially shrimp. Large species may eat very small fish. They may also eat bristleworms. Diet should include plenty of high quality meaty items such as frozen Mysis shrimp, chopped krill, enriched brine shrimp, marine algae and Spirulina fed at least once a day. They usually learn to eat dry foods as well.The Sankey dottyback is a bold beauty with high contrast markings and a long flowing tail. Over its snowy white body are three inky black stripes running to its tail; one along its forehead, one from its eye and the other from its chin. The lower two stripes come together at the end of its pin shaped tail. Bright turquoise shines on its eyes and face. In the wild it lives in the Red Sea, however all of our Orchid dottybacks are tank bred. Groups of this fish live together and mimic the appearance of venomous striped eel catfish. This species is one of the least aggressive, and may be kept in groups as long as there are plenty of hiding places and all individuals are added at the same time to a sufficiently large aquarium. Males and females are identical. The Sankey dottyback grows to 3 inches and needs an aquarium of at least 30 gallons.
