Bluelined Dottyback

The Bluelined Dottyback is a stunning and rarely seen species endemic to the Red Sea, prized for its rich purple body adorned with electric blue horizontal lines. These vivid neon-blue stripes running along the length of its body create a dazzling visual effect, particularly under actinic or blue reef lighting. The combination of deep purple and electric blue makes this one of the most visually striking dottybacks available, though it remains uncommon in the aquarium trade due to its limited geographic range.

In the wild, the Bluelined Dottyback inhabits reef walls, caves, and overhangs in the Red Sea at moderate depths. It is a secretive species that darts in and out of crevices, rarely straying far from its chosen territory. Like other members of the Cypho genus, it is more robust and deep-bodied than typical Pseudochromis dottybacks, giving it a distinctive profile. Its bold coloration serves as a warning to potential rivals that it is a territorial fish not to be trifled with.

In the home aquarium, the Bluelined Dottyback requires some consideration regarding tankmates due to its assertive territorial nature. It can be aggressive toward similarly sized or similar-looking fish, particularly in smaller tanks. However, in a well-established reef of 30 gallons or more with ample rockwork providing caves and hiding spots, it generally coexists with larger or dissimilar community fish. It is completely reef-safe and will actively hunt small bristleworms and flatworms, providing useful pest control for the reef aquarium.