top of page

Basslets  :  

 1-Royal Gramma Basslet  

Gramma loreto 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Peaceful

Reef Compatible: Yes

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 3"

Color Form: Purple, Yellow

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Pacific

Family: Grammidae

The Royal Gramma Basslet brings an explosion of color to any saltwater aquarium. It has a bright purple to violet colored anterior contrasted by a vibrant yellow posterior. Coveted for both its unique color pattern and relatively small adult size, Gramma loreto is well suited for small nano reef systems.

 

Native to the deep-water reefs of the Caribbean, this member of the Grammidae family prefers extensive rockwork caves in which to hide and somewhat subdued lighting. Since it demonstrates territorial aggression towards its own kind, the Royal Gramma Basslet should be housed singly. However, most Royal Gramma Basslets are peaceful towards tankmates of similar size and temperament.

 

For the best care, keep the Royal Gramma Basslet in reef systems of at least 30 gallons. Since it is a carnivore, feed a varied diet of meaty fare, including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysis shrimp, and quality frozen preparations.

 

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1-1/4"; Medium: 1-1/4" to 1-3/4"; Large: 1-3/4" to 2-1/2"

A popular choice for the saltwater aquarium, the Basslet (also known as a dottyback, gramma, or Anthias) is hardy, fairly well-behaved, and excellent for saltwater beginners despite its slightly territorial nature. Basslets are brightly colored fish often found in bright reds, oranges, yellows and purples, sometimes all at once. Their small size makes them ideal for smaller tanks; however they are quite territorial and still need some space. Their sleek, aerodynamic design and half-moon shaped tail make them ideal for sudden bursts of speed necessary when feeding or for defense; however, the Basslet is also a slow swimmer that will school with its own kind in the wild. In the ocean, this species will live in colonies called harems. These colonies will hover over a chosen coral head feeding, a behavior they will readily exhibit in your home aquarium. An interesting thing to note about the Basslet is that it is what is known as a “sequential hermaphrodite”. All fish are born female and develop into males as they mature, with one “supermale” leading the colony until its death.

 

Sub-Species for Aquariums:  

 

 

Royal Gramma – One of the five varieties of Basslet to be found in the Atlantic Ocean, the Royal Gramma Basslet is highly sought for tropical tanks. It is bi-colored, one half of its body a vibrant purple and the other half a stunning yellow. It is important to note that this division occurs vertically, unlike the Skunk Basslet which is similarly colored. It prefers to live in sheltered areas; this is a shy fish that is happiest with places to hide.

 

Skunk Basslet – Similar to the Royal Gramma in coloring, the Skunk Basslet is vibrantly yellow in body, with a wide strip of purple running down the spine. This is a popular species of Basslet and is easy to find, however it tends to be highly aggressive and should not be kept with other Basslets or in a small tank.

 

Bicolor Basslet – Highly aggressive, this two toned yellow and magenta fish should not be kept with shy and timid fish in a small tank as it will bully them.

 

Purple Basslet – A solid and vibrant purple or magenta, this species is the least aggressive of the Basslets. Purple Basslets prefer to keep to themselves and play amongst pebbles and rocks, picking out their food.

 

Orange Sea-Perch – This Basslet, also known as the Wreckfish or Lyre-tail Coral fish, is a beautiful and graceful fish with colors ranging from orange to purple. A less aggressive species, it prefers the company of its own kind and can be kept with others without worry of aggressive behavior. However, it does not like sharing eating space and may steal its food and move off into a corner to enjoy its meal.

 

Care:

 

This is a small fish and as such it is suitable for smaller tanks. However, it should not be kept in a tank less than thirty gallons as it tends to be aggressive and territorial. Their small size tends to prevent Basslets from being bullies, but potential owners should be careful to research which variety of Basslet they have chosen as some species do well with others of their own kind and some do not, though they are not necessarily aggressive towards other species of similar size. They are hardy fish that adapt well to tank life. A standard reef tank with good lighting and aeration, pH of 8.1-8.4, and warm waters is appropriate for the Basslet.

 

Diet: 

 

Basslets are carnivores and require protein. They prefer live food, but will eat finely chopped frozen food such as shrimp or fish.

 

Size: 3 Inches
Freshwater/ Saltwater: Saltwater 
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Compatibility: 7 
Tank Mate Compatibility: 4
Lifespan: 5+ Years

2- Chalk Bass

Serranus tortugarum 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 3"

Color Form: Blue, Orange, Purple

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic

Family: Serranidae

 

 

The Chalk Bass, from the Caribbean, is one of the smaller bass within this family, and is a great fish for beginners. The body is orange in color with a purple mid-section. Electric blue vertical bands, which add to their appeal, accentuate these fish.

 

A 30-gallon aquarium, with plenty of live rock for hiding, is ideal for the Chalk bass. They are not aggressive towards other fish, and multiple specimens can be added to the aquarium, as long as it is at the same time. They will not pick at corals or sessile invertebrates, and are a great fish for the reef aquarium. Larger specimens may attack small shrimps, especially those within the Periclimenes genus.

 

An extremely hardy fish, the Chalk Bass requires a diet consisting of a variety of chopped meaty items, vitamin enriched brine and mysis shrimp and flake foods.

 

Approximate purchase size: Small 1" to 2" Medium 2" -3"

3- Lantern Bass  

Serranus baldwini 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 4½"

Color Form: Black, Orange, Red, Tan

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic

Family: Serranidae

The Lantern Bass, from the Caribbean, is one of the smaller bass within this family, and is a great fish for beginners. The body is mottled with orange, black and brown markings, and is elongated in form. These fish are very disease resistant, and should not be kept in an aquarium with small shrimp or fish.

 

A 30-gallon saltwater aquarium with plenty of live rock for hiding is ideal for the Lantern bass. They can be aggressive towards other smaller fish, and multiple specimens can be added to the aquarium, as long as it is at the same time. They will not pick at corals or sessile invertebrates, and are a great fish for the reef aquarium that does not contain small fish or shrimp.

 

An extremely hardy fish, the Lantern Bass requires a diet consisting of a variety of chopped meaty items, vitamin enriched brine and mysis shrimp and flake foods.

 

Approximate purchase size: Small 3/4" to 1 1/4" Medium 1 1/4" to 2" Large 2" to 3"

4- Tobacco Basslet

Serranus tabacarius 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 70 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 7"

Color Form: Black, Orange, White

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic

Family: Grammidae

The Tobacco Basslet is alternately referred to as the Tobacco Fish, or Tobacco Bass, and is common in the tropical Western Atlantic. The body is a light gray on the bottom and a black and silver mottled pattern dorsally, split from each other by an orange band.

 

This basslet is a very hardy aquarium species and does best in the fish only aquarium or reef aquarium with caution. Larger Tobacco Basslets can can pose a threat to small crustaceans and smaller fishes, especially tiny damselfish, small gobies, and blennies. A single individual should be maintained in a minimum of a 70 gallon tank, while more than one requires at least 125 gallons. Even so, the Tobacco Fish may try to dominate smaller members of the same species, so it is best to introduce several Tobacco Basslet into the aquarium at the same time if the plans are to maintain a small group.

 

True of all members of the Serranus genus, the Tobacco Basslet is hermaphroditic.

 

As a carnivore, the Tobacco Basslet will thrive on a diet of meaty foods such as finely chopped fresh or frozen marine fish, squid, mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp and frozen carnivore preparations.

 

Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1/2" to 1" Medium 1" to 2" Large 2" to 3" Xlarge 3" to 4"

5- Harlequin Bass

 Serranus tigrinus 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 4"

Color Form: Black, Tan, White, Yellow

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Caribbean, Tropical Western Atlantic

Family: Serranidae

The Harlequin Bass is an unusual striking yellow and black mottled mottled color on the ventral side, with black and white mottling on the dorsal half. These fishes are extremely hardy, and make a great candidate for beginners. A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with abundant hiding places provides a good environment.

 

As the Harlequin Bass matures and grows, it may prey on any smaller fish or small crustacean tank mates. Although these fishes can boss around some smaller tank mates, they are not normally overly aggressive to dissimilar species. They do not normally take kindly to other Dwarf Sea Basses or even bottom dwelling fishes that occupy the same territory, so keep a close eye on them when mixing similar fishes or ones that occupy the same territory. Ideally only one Harlequin Bass per tank is recommended, unless a bonded pair can be obtained.

 

A sturdy species, the Harlequin Bass requires a diet consisting of a variety of chopped live meaty items and frozen foods.

 

Approximate Purchase Size: Medium: 2" to 3"; Large 3" to 4-1/2"

6-Black Cap Basslet

Gramma melacara 

 

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: Yes

Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 4"

Color Form: Black, Purple

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Caribbean

Family: Grammidae

The Black Cap Basslet is a deep water species found throughout the Caribbean. Its brilliant purple body and jet-black diagonal cap make it a striking addition to any aquarium.

 

An excellent choice for a reef aquarium, the Black Cap Basslet is a threat to only the smallest invertebrates such as Copepods, Isopods, or Amphipods. Provide at least a 30 gallon tank with rock caves to hide in. Black Cap Basslets can become territorial once established, so they should not be kept with other basslets. Because they tend to be deep-water dwellers, they do better in an aquarium with slightly subdued lighting.

 

Black Cap Basslets will do well on a diet of meaty foods including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysis shrimp, and quality frozen preparations.

 

Approximate Purchase Size: Medium: 2" - 3" Large 3" to 4"

bottom of page