Indigo Dottyback

The Indigo Dottyback is a visually striking species from the waters of Indonesia, displaying a beautiful combination of deep blue and white striping along its body. Its electric blue coloration, combined with bold white horizontal bands, creates a dramatic appearance that makes it stand out in any reef aquarium. This species is relatively uncommon in the aquarium trade compared to more widely available dottybacks, giving it a certain appeal among collectors seeking something distinctive.

In its natural habitat around the reefs of Indonesia, the Indigo Dottyback inhabits coral-rich environments where it occupies crevices and overhangs in the reef structure. It is a semi-aggressive species that defends its territory but is generally less problematic than the most aggressive dottyback species. Its temperament falls somewhere between the docile Orchid Dottyback and the more combative Strawberry Dottyback, making it manageable in well-planned community aquariums with moderately assertive tankmates.

The Indigo Dottyback is a hardy, disease-resistant species that adapts well to aquarium conditions. It is completely reef-safe, ignoring corals and most invertebrates while actively hunting small bristleworms and other pest organisms. Its manageable size of just under two and a half inches makes it suitable for smaller aquariums, though a minimum of 30 gallons is recommended to provide adequate territory. Like all dottybacks, it is a protogynous hermaphrodite, with dominant individuals transitioning from female to male.