ORA’s Electric Indigo Dottyback – New Take On A Hybrid

ORA's new Electric Indigo Dottyback, a hybrid of undisclosed origins at this time - Image courtesy ORA

We tried, oh how we tried, but on this one, Dustin Dorton’s lips are sealed. The “Electric Indigo Dottyback” is clearly something different and unique, and is the latest in a string of debuts from ORA in early 2014.

So we’ve had “Indigo” Dottybacks for a few years now. But this “Electric Indigo” is something else. Since ORA isn’t talking, we’re left to speculate, and speculate we will.

First, let’s look back and the Indigo Dottyback. It is the primary hybrid of two Dottyback species; the Orchid Dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) and the Striped Dottyback (P. sankeyi). Sp you get these two fish to mate:

ORA Orchid Dottyback - Pseudochromis fridmani - Image Courtesy ORA — ORA Orchid Dottyback – Pseudochromis fridmani – Image Courtesy ORA

ORA Striped Dottyback - Pseudochromis sankeyi - Image Courtesy ORA — ORA Striped Dottyback – Pseudochromis sankeyi – Image Courtesy ORA

And when it’s all said and done, you rear up the F1 (Primary, aka. Initial) hybrid result, which is fairly consistent, and is called the Indigo Dottyback.

ORA Indigo Dottyback - Pseudochromis (fridmani X sankeyi) - Image Courtesy ORA — ORA Indigo Dottyback – Pseudochromis (fridmani X sankeyi) – Image Courtesy ORA

Now here’s where things get interesting. The “Electric” Indigo Dottyback clearly doesn’t look the same as the Indigo predecessor. Furthermore, ORA lists the parental species of the Electric Indigo dottyback as still being Ps. (fridmani X sankeyi). So if no new species has been added into the mix in a secondary hybrid fashion, then what could this be?

I see three possible scenarios:

1. This is still a primary hybrid between full blood individuals of Ps. fridmini and Ps. sankeyi, the difference being that for whatever reason, a particular pairing is throwing off offspring which look consistently different. This, I believe, is the least likely option.

2. The Electric Indigo might represent some secondary line bred hybridizing; basically mating Indigo X Indigo and selectively breeding over a few generations to emphasize a coloration, form and pattern that ORA felt met a certain ideal. This, while possible, is another concept that is not the most likely option.

3. The most likely scenario? I believe that the Electric Indigo Dottyback represents a secondary hybrid, specifically a back-crossing of the Indigo Dottyback with one of the parental species. To me, the answer is very obvious; the parental species involved would be Pseudochromis sankeyi. So, my personal speculation is that the Electric Indigo Dottyback represents the mating of Pseudochromis (sankeyi X Indigo). And yes, you could then think of the fish as, one some very generic level, 75% Striped Dottyback and 25% Orchid Dottyback. Everything about the coloration and shape of the fish demonstrates strong Sankeyi influence.

Of course, ORA isn’t talking. And from a for-profit point of view, it’s understandable that if they see this as being a very successful new variety of dottyback, they’re not about to disclose how to “make it”…which leaves other breeders to pursue various lines of breeding to figure out if, in fact, any of these hypothetical origins are in fact correct. [ORA]

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Matt Pedersen

Matt Pedersen is an interactive software developer and part-time fly fishing guide originally from Chicago, IL and current living in Duluth, MN, USA. Additionally, Matt has experience as a professional orchid breeder and certified fly rod builder. Matt has been a marine aquarist for 23 years, and an aquarist for 28+. After spending time on every side of the aquarium industry (retail, commercial and private maintenance & installation, wholesale, hatchery), he currently considers himself a "professional hobbyist". Most recently, Matt has currently spawned 22 species of marine fish, successfully raising 8 of them to date including one worldwide first (the Harlequin Filefish, Oxymonacanthus longirostris), as well as attempted another 6 invertebrate species to date. Most all of this was accomplished with less than 100 gallons of total working capacity, and all in closed culture. In 2010, Matt Pedersen was selected as the breeder of choice to work with the now famous "PNG Lightning Maroon Clownfish" from the SEASMART program, and chronicles the efforts to propagate this one-of-a-kind fish online at The Lightning Project. Matt Pedersen is credited with starting MOFIB (Marine Ornamental Fish & Invertebrate Breeder's Association) and writing for multiple publications including Coral, Koralle, Practical Fish Keeping, Reef Hobbyist Magazine and Reef Builders. Matt has spoken at numerous aquarium clubs and events from coast to coast. He currently sits on the MBI (Marine Breeding Initiative) Council, a project dedicated to bringing the concept of a unified Marine Breeder's Award Program to hobbyist organizations across the country and around the globe. In 2009, Matt was awarded "Aquarist of the Year" honors by both IMAC West and MASNA in recognition of his accomplishments and contributions to the marine aquarium hobby. Last updated October, 2010.