Also Known As: Black Neon Hybrid Dottyback

Compatibility and Behavior
The Captive-Bred Black Neon Dottyback (Pseudochromis springeri x Pseudochromis aldabraensis) is a striking hybrid that pulls the best from both parents: the distinct facial bands of the Springer's Dottyback paired with the vivid horizontal blue stripes running the dorsal length and fins of the Neon Dottyback. The real party trick is the body color, which is genuinely mood-dependent, shifting from nearly jet black to a warm rust tone depending on the fish's environment and disposition, so each one is a bit of a living mood ring. It's reef safe and won't bother corals or sessile inverts, but it can be semi-aggressive toward smaller or slower tankmates, particularly other dottybacks, so keep it as the only dottyback in the tank. Like its wild parents, it may occasionally nip small ornamental shrimp, so pair it with delicate crustaceans like sexy shrimp with caution. One real advantage of the captive-bred origin: this hybrid tends to be noticeably calmer and more adaptable than wild-collected dottybacks, though it still does best introduced after your more docile fish are already established.

Aquarium Requirements
This is an easy, adaptable fish, so the setup is refreshingly simple. It does best in an established tank of at least 30 gallons generously aquascaped with live rock, since abundant crevices and caves are what it wants for exploring, claiming a territory, and retreating when startled, and plenty of hiding spots go a long way toward reducing territorial stress. It isn't fussy about lighting or substrate, which makes it easy to drop into most standard reef setups. The one non-negotiable is a tight-fitting lid or mesh screen, since dottybacks are strong, persistent jumpers, especially in the first few weeks after introduction. Feed meaty foods like mysis, enriched brine, krill, and finely chopped seafood, along with prepared marine pellets and flakes, once or twice a day.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 1.5–2.25"
Diet: Carnivore; meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, krill, and finely chopped seafood, along with prepared marine pellets and flakes
Origin: Captive-bred hybrid
Care Level: Easy
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Special Considerations: May nip small ornamental shrimp like sexy shrimp, so pair with caution; semi-aggressive, so best kept as the only dottyback and introduced with or after equally assertive tankmates; captive-bred and generally calmer than wild-collected fish; a strong, persistent jumper, so a tight-fitting lid is essential