Splendid pseudochromids?

[wombat1]

Anyone have experience keeping these guys? Any different from other pseudochromids? I was thinking of getting a pair.

 

[GSchiemer]

I have a pair that I got a few years ago while visiting ORA. They're adults now. They cause no problems in my aquarium, but then again I have a 500 gallon reef tank. They don't show aggression towards any other fish, including other Pseudochromids. They interact with each other with some flashing and following, which is typical Pseudochromid behavior. They're very enjoyable fish that eat anything. They're hardy and beautiful. Note that they get prettier as they mature.

Greg

 

[Len]

I can't comment on captive bred specimens, but wild P.splendens are MEAN suckers. I've seen them in at least 3 seperate tanks (mine included) and they literally terrorize the tank.

 

[wombat1]

They would be alone in the tank ( a 6 gallon plus 3 gallon sump/refugium ), so I wouldn't have to worry about fish tankmates. The tank size is probably pushing it for a pair. I should probably just get one, but a pair would be so much more interesting.
Len, does yours bother inverts at all? I recall having an arabian dottyback a few years ago that was a terror to a pygmy angel and a firefish, but left inverts alone.

 

[GSchiemer]

I can't comment on captive bred specimens, but wild P.splendens are MEAN suckers. I've seen them in at least 3 seperate tanks (mine included) and they literally terrorize the tank.

I was a disbeliever myself, but my experience with all the captive bred Pseudochromids is that they are less aggressive than their wild counterparts. My pair of P. splendens share the tank with P. aldabraensis, P. fridmani, and lots of small wrasses. In fact, my damsels chase the P. splendens on occasion!

Greg

 

[Len]

yeah, greg, I've found C.B. pseudochromids a lot more passive. I had a C.B. P.fridmani and P.flavivertex that were docile as can be.

My P.splendens ate smaller polycheate worms. It would also harass shrimps when introduced, but would lose interest in them over time.

 

[GSchiemer]

yeah, greg, I've found C.B. pseudochromids a lot more passive. I had a C.B. P.fridmani and P.flavivertex that were docile as can be.

My P.splendens ate smaller polycheate worms. It would also harass shrimps when introduced, but would lose interest in them over time.

I didn't believe that the inherent aggressiveness and territoriality of these Pseudochromids could be bred out of them in such a short period of time. I'm still not sure that I believe it , but my experience has been that they are less aggressive. I wonder if this is the result of being raised in unnatural conditions. They normally do not grow up in large groups under crowded conditions, as they do in the hatchery. Perhaps this conditioning overides some of the natural tendencies. Whatever the reason, the captive Pseudochromids are better than the wild-caught in every way.

Greg

 

[DJ88]

For a pair of wild caughts you will want to have these guys in a tank much larger than six gallons. 8O Much larger.

I have a single one and it rules everything. Other than a couple of hermits I can't have ANY inverts. If I try to put a peppermint in there to go after aiptasia.. It's toast... Ten seconds is the longest any one has lasted. A cloud of sand appears and a shrimp head will come floating by shortly after.

By far this is the most aggressive of any fish I have ever kept. Even my undulated trigger was pussy cat compared to this.

I had talked to someone that said you don't want to go for a small tank with a pair of wild caught P Splendens. They will go after each other.

 

[GSchiemer]

I'm sorry but I missed the post about the six gallon aquarium. Pseudochromis splendens is NOT an appropriate addition, either alone or in pairs, for a 6 gallon aquarium. The only Pseudochromid that MIGHT work is P. sankeyi. Even P. fridmani will be too aggressive in a six gallon aquarium. Much better off with small gobies.

Greg

 

[Minh Nguyen]

I agree that 6 g is too small for any dottyback. My Orchid Dottyback, one of the smallest dottyback, pair are small and docile but I doubt very much that they would do well in a 6 g tank.

 

[wombat1]

I read today they grow 8 inches long....the initial info I read said they grow 2.5 inches :roll: Looks like I'll have to wait for a much larger tank. I may get a P. fridmani by itself. It will be the only fish in the tank.

 

[DJ88]

Looks like I'll have to wait for a much larger tank.

Probably a good idea.. If you can, wait for one or two of these fish. I waited two years till one appeared at a store here.. It is the most spectacular fish. Beautiful. By far my favorite fish I have ever had. A tad agressive but.. Goes with the Species. Well worth the wait.

 

[Wrassman]

I've kept most of the Pseudochromis sp. that have been available over the years; all except the Splendens. When I had my last tank (before my divorce) it was a more FOWLR, larger species tank, so I couldn't keep any dottybacks in that tank. The 58g I have set up now is the second one since my divorce -- it's been set up two years. I've ordered two Splendens for the tank, and both of them arrived DOA. Right now I have a Stawberry Pseudochromis, and an Orchid Dottyback (TR). They get along very well together, surprisingly.

One of these days, I would like to own a Splendens, though.

 

[wombat1]

I want to get a pair so badly that I'm considering kicking some fish out of my 30 gallon at home. Problem is, ORA apparently doesn't have any available and an online store wants $180 for a pair! 8O

 

[GSchiemer]

Just so we're sure that we're all talking about the same fish, here is one of my pair. Males are indistinguishable from females.

Greg