Pseudochromidae

The dottybacks are a family, Pseudochromidae, of fishes which were formerly classified in the order Perciformes or considered incertae sedis percomorphs, but are now considered basal blenniiforms. Around 152 species belong to this family.

They are found in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific, where most inhabit coral reefs. Many species are brightly coloured fish, often showing striking sexual dimorphism. They are generally small, mostly less than in length, and some less than . The largest by far, at up to , is Congrogadus subducens. Dottybacks are distinguished from other families by the presence of three or less spines in the dorsal fin and an incomplete lateral line organ.