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Magenta dottyback (Pictichromis porphyrea) — Pseudochromidae

Magenta dottyback

Pictichromis porphyrea

The Magenta dottyback (Pictichromis porphyrea) is a saltwater fish of the family Pseudochromidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–65.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The magenta dottyback is a dottyback (Pseudochromidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a plain, bright magenta-purple body. As a cryptic reef-dweller it shelters in crevices and under overhanging coral of deeper reef areas and snaps at small crustaceans and zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans and is popular in the aquarium trade.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Magenta dottyback?

The Magenta dottyback has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Magenta dottyback live?

The Magenta dottyback lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Magenta dottyback get?

The Magenta dottyback grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Magenta dottyback dangerous to humans?

No, the Magenta dottyback is harmless to humans.

Is the Magenta dottyback edible?

Yes, the Magenta dottyback is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Magenta-juffertje sourced
English name
Magenta dottyback sourced
Scientific name
Pictichromis porphyrea
Family
Pseudochromidae
Other names
Magenta dottyback; Strawberry dottyback verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
65.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Pictichromis

More from the family Pseudochromidae

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