How to Care for Bicolor Pseudochromis

written by Dave Burr

Behavior: The Bicolor Pseudochromis packs a punch and may attack fish three times its own size to defend its territory. The pseudochromis species is best kept one per aquarium except in larger aquariums of 300 gallons or more. Bicolor Pseudochromis do best in a reef aquarium with plenty of live rock to provide hiding places and create separate territories.

The Bicolor Pseudochromis should not bother coral, clams, or invertebrates and makes a great addition to most reef aquariums. They will help to control problematic bristle worms.

Feeding: Offer the Bicolor Pseudochromis a mixed diet of mysis shrimp and finely chopped meaty foods 4-6 times per week. Soaking all fish food with vitamins will help keep your fish healthier and make them less susceptible to disease. We recommend soaking food in garlic as well when adding new fish and whenever your notice ich or other disease in the aquarium. Garlic will help repel external parasites and will boost the fishes immunity.

Feeding Tips: Remember to feed slowly. Leftover food will cause nitrates and phosphates to rise. If you see food falling to the sand bed and into the rocks you should feed slower and give the fish a chance to eat before adding a little more. Using a turkey baster allows you to target food to different fish. For example you can feed the aggressive fish on one side of the tank and then squirt a little bit on the other side for the less aggressive fish. This way all the fish get a chance to eat enough.

Maximum Length: 3"
Care Level: Easy
Family: Pseudochromidae
Reef Compatibility: Yes
Minimum Aquarium Size: 30 gal.
Range: Indo Pacific
Diet: Carnivore
Water Conditions: 75-80° F; sg 1.024-1.026 (1.025 is ideal); pH 8.1-8.4 Ca 420-440 ppm, Alk 8-9.5 dKH, Mg 1260-1350, Nitrates <10ppm, Phosphates, < .10ppm

Water Chemistry: Maintaining Ammonia at 0 ppm, Nitrites at 0 ppm, and Nitrates below 10ppm will help to keep your Bicolor Pseudochromis happy and healthy. We recommend doing a water change soon after Nitrates rise above 10 ppm. Maintaining proper calcium (420-440 ppm), alkalinity (8-9.5 dkh - run it 7-8 if you are carbon dosing), and magnesium levels (1260-1350 ppm) will help to keep pH stable in the 8.1-8.4 range. We recommend a specific gravity of 1.024-1.026 with 1.025 being ideal for fish. Temperature should remain stable as well and should stay within a 2 degree range.