Dampiera Dottyback Grouper
Dampiera Dottyback Grouper: The Fiery, Aggressive Centerpiece
The Dampiera Dottyback Grouper (Labracinus cyclophthalmus), also widely known as the Firetail Dottyback, Red Dottyback, or Fire-tail Devil, is a large, colorful, and notoriously aggressive marine fish from the Dottyback (Pseudochromidae) family. The "Grouper" designation in its common name is historical (referring to its former genus Dampieria) and reflects its incredibly belligerent, bass-like temperament and predatory nature, which is unusual for a fish of its size.
Native to the Western Pacific, throughout the Indo-Malayan Archipelago, this Dottyback can grow significantly larger than its more peaceful relatives, reaching an impressive maximum size of up to 9 inches (23 cm). Its body coloration is typically dark red-brown with several pale vertical stripes, sharply contrasted by a striking, bright red or orange tail fin, which gives it one of its most common names. Due to its territoriality and active swimming, a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons is recommended, though a 120-gallon tank is preferred for a mature specimen to reduce aggression.
The Dampiera Dottyback Grouper is a fantastic showpiece for a Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) system, but its aggressive nature makes careful tankmate selection essential. It is a highly hardy species and an excellent choice for experienced aquarists looking for a bold personality.
Diet & Compatibility:
- Diet: This fish is a dedicated Carnivore and a highly efficient predator. In the wild, it hunts small fish and crustaceans. In captivity, it readily accepts most frozen, meaty marine foods, including krill, silversides, mysis shrimp, and chopped squid. A varied diet of high-quality frozen foods should be offered once daily.
- Feeding: Due to its aggressive metabolism and territorial defense, ensure this fish receives ample food. Its appetite can make it difficult for shyer tankmates to compete for food.
- Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Caution. While this species will ignore corals, anemones, and large sessile invertebrates, it will aggressively prey upon and consume nearly all ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and snails. It will also eat any fish small enough to fit into its mouth.
- Temperament: It is Aggressive / Predatory. This Dottyback is highly territorial and should only be housed with large, robust, and moderately aggressive fish that can defend themselves. Good tankmates include large angelfish, puffers, lionfish, tangs, and certain triggerfish. Avoid housing with smaller, peaceful, or passive fish, as they will be constantly harassed or eaten. It is generally kept singly, but can be kept as a mated pair if introduced simultaneously to a large system.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Labracinus cyclophthalmus
- Primary Common Name: Dampiera Dottyback Grouper
- Other Common Names: Firetail Dottyback, Red Dottyback, Fire-tail Devil, Red Grouper
- Origin: Western Pacific (Indo-Malayan Archipelago)
- Max Size: 9 inches (23 cm)
- Temperament: Aggressive / Predatory (Highly territorial)
- Diet: Carnivore (Meaty frozen foods)
- Minimum Tank Size: 75 Gallons (120+ Gallons recommended)
- Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Will eat shrimp and small inverts/fish)
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Dampiera Dottyback Grouper
Dampiera Dottyback Grouper: The Fiery, Aggressive Centerpiece
The Dampiera Dottyback Grouper (Labracinus cyclophthalmus), also widely known as the Firetail Dottyback, Red Dottyback, or Fire-tail Devil, is a large, colorful, and notoriously aggressive marine fish from the Dottyback (Pseudochromidae) family. The "Grouper" designation in its common name is historical (referring to its former genus Dampieria) and reflects its incredibly belligerent, bass-like temperament and predatory nature, which is unusual for a fish of its size.
Native to the Western Pacific, throughout the Indo-Malayan Archipelago, this Dottyback can grow significantly larger than its more peaceful relatives, reaching an impressive maximum size of up to 9 inches (23 cm). Its body coloration is typically dark red-brown with several pale vertical stripes, sharply contrasted by a striking, bright red or orange tail fin, which gives it one of its most common names. Due to its territoriality and active swimming, a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons is recommended, though a 120-gallon tank is preferred for a mature specimen to reduce aggression.
The Dampiera Dottyback Grouper is a fantastic showpiece for a Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) system, but its aggressive nature makes careful tankmate selection essential. It is a highly hardy species and an excellent choice for experienced aquarists looking for a bold personality.
Diet & Compatibility:
- Diet: This fish is a dedicated Carnivore and a highly efficient predator. In the wild, it hunts small fish and crustaceans. In captivity, it readily accepts most frozen, meaty marine foods, including krill, silversides, mysis shrimp, and chopped squid. A varied diet of high-quality frozen foods should be offered once daily.
- Feeding: Due to its aggressive metabolism and territorial defense, ensure this fish receives ample food. Its appetite can make it difficult for shyer tankmates to compete for food.
- Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Caution. While this species will ignore corals, anemones, and large sessile invertebrates, it will aggressively prey upon and consume nearly all ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and snails. It will also eat any fish small enough to fit into its mouth.
- Temperament: It is Aggressive / Predatory. This Dottyback is highly territorial and should only be housed with large, robust, and moderately aggressive fish that can defend themselves. Good tankmates include large angelfish, puffers, lionfish, tangs, and certain triggerfish. Avoid housing with smaller, peaceful, or passive fish, as they will be constantly harassed or eaten. It is generally kept singly, but can be kept as a mated pair if introduced simultaneously to a large system.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Labracinus cyclophthalmus
- Primary Common Name: Dampiera Dottyback Grouper
- Other Common Names: Firetail Dottyback, Red Dottyback, Fire-tail Devil, Red Grouper
- Origin: Western Pacific (Indo-Malayan Archipelago)
- Max Size: 9 inches (23 cm)
- Temperament: Aggressive / Predatory (Highly territorial)
- Diet: Carnivore (Meaty frozen foods)
- Minimum Tank Size: 75 Gallons (120+ Gallons recommended)
- Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Will eat shrimp and small inverts/fish)
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Description
Dampiera Dottyback Grouper: The Fiery, Aggressive Centerpiece
The Dampiera Dottyback Grouper (Labracinus cyclophthalmus), also widely known as the Firetail Dottyback, Red Dottyback, or Fire-tail Devil, is a large, colorful, and notoriously aggressive marine fish from the Dottyback (Pseudochromidae) family. The "Grouper" designation in its common name is historical (referring to its former genus Dampieria) and reflects its incredibly belligerent, bass-like temperament and predatory nature, which is unusual for a fish of its size.
Native to the Western Pacific, throughout the Indo-Malayan Archipelago, this Dottyback can grow significantly larger than its more peaceful relatives, reaching an impressive maximum size of up to 9 inches (23 cm). Its body coloration is typically dark red-brown with several pale vertical stripes, sharply contrasted by a striking, bright red or orange tail fin, which gives it one of its most common names. Due to its territoriality and active swimming, a minimum aquarium size of 75 gallons is recommended, though a 120-gallon tank is preferred for a mature specimen to reduce aggression.
The Dampiera Dottyback Grouper is a fantastic showpiece for a Fish-Only-With-Live-Rock (FOWLR) system, but its aggressive nature makes careful tankmate selection essential. It is a highly hardy species and an excellent choice for experienced aquarists looking for a bold personality.
Diet & Compatibility:
- Diet: This fish is a dedicated Carnivore and a highly efficient predator. In the wild, it hunts small fish and crustaceans. In captivity, it readily accepts most frozen, meaty marine foods, including krill, silversides, mysis shrimp, and chopped squid. A varied diet of high-quality frozen foods should be offered once daily.
- Feeding: Due to its aggressive metabolism and territorial defense, ensure this fish receives ample food. Its appetite can make it difficult for shyer tankmates to compete for food.
- Reef Compatibility: It is Reef Safe With Caution. While this species will ignore corals, anemones, and large sessile invertebrates, it will aggressively prey upon and consume nearly all ornamental shrimp, small crabs, and snails. It will also eat any fish small enough to fit into its mouth.
- Temperament: It is Aggressive / Predatory. This Dottyback is highly territorial and should only be housed with large, robust, and moderately aggressive fish that can defend themselves. Good tankmates include large angelfish, puffers, lionfish, tangs, and certain triggerfish. Avoid housing with smaller, peaceful, or passive fish, as they will be constantly harassed or eaten. It is generally kept singly, but can be kept as a mated pair if introduced simultaneously to a large system.
Quick Facts
- Scientific Name: Labracinus cyclophthalmus
- Primary Common Name: Dampiera Dottyback Grouper
- Other Common Names: Firetail Dottyback, Red Dottyback, Fire-tail Devil, Red Grouper
- Origin: Western Pacific (Indo-Malayan Archipelago)
- Max Size: 9 inches (23 cm)
- Temperament: Aggressive / Predatory (Highly territorial)
- Diet: Carnivore (Meaty frozen foods)
- Minimum Tank Size: 75 Gallons (120+ Gallons recommended)
- Reef Compatibility: With Caution (Will eat shrimp and small inverts/fish)
