These fishes belong in the "Order Perciformes" and "Suborder Percoidei" and are members of three different families: "Family Pseudochromidae"(Dottybacks);"Family Grammatidae"(Grammas); and, "Family Serranidae"(Groupers & Anthias/Genus Liopropoma). They are mostly referred to as Basslets as they are closely related, with many looking similar and occupying similar habitats. The Grammas hail from the tropical Atlantic and Caribbean, the Dottybacks from the Indo-Pacific and Red Sea and the Genus Liopropoma being quite diverse and occurring in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans. They are benthic fishes, keeping close the substrate, therefore may do better in reef-like environments.
For much more information on many of the species mentioned below, recommend reading "Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes" by Scott Michael ISBN 1-890087-33-5.
Grammas may be kept in small groups in larger aquaria. In small aquariums, it may be best to maintain only one. They are plankton feeders, prefer to inhabit areas such as overhangs, crevices, caves, and steep ledges, and can be extremely territorial in guarding their selected areas. It is not possible to distinguish males from females, however, the male is generally larger than the female.
These Reef Basslets are a deeper water species than are grammas. They are quite secretive and difficult to catch in the wild, therefore they rarely show up in the trade. Usually shy when first placed in the aquarium and should have many hiding places. Keep in mind they may eat small crustaceans. They are prone to hiding if kept under bright lighting. Have the same diet requirements as other dottybacks/grammas.
There are few members in this genus, and the one described here is the only member collected for the aquarium trade. They are all far too aggressive to be kept with fish its own coloration, size or smaller. Even though it's safe with corals, it's not safe with tubeworms and shrimp.
There are few members in this genus, and those described are the only members collected for the aquarium trade. They far too aggressive to be kept with fish its own size or smaller. In fact, it's a 'terror' and can not be trusted in with anything less dominating than eels, groupers and triggerfishes!
There are very few specimens in this genus and only a couple that 'may' show up in the aquarium trade. They are far too aggressive to be kept with fish its own coloration, size or smaller. Even though it's safe with corals, it's not safe with tubeworms and shrimp. May even attack fish larger than itself!
They are extremely fast, quite hardy, very territorial, disease resistant, mostly inexpensive, very colorful, and not finicky eaters. They are well suited for some reef aquariums. Their natural diet consists mainly of zooplankton and benthic crustaceans. Easily maintained in the aquarium and may be a fairly good eradicator of small bristle worms. Feed meaty/freeze-dried foodstuffs. Usually one male per aquarium except in very large aquariums, as they may fight among themselves.
These Reef Basslets are a deeper water species and come out to feed at dusk. They are quite secretive and difficult to catch in the wild. Usually shy when first placed in the aquarium and should have many hiding places. Keep in mind they may eat small crustaceans. They are prone to hiding if kept under bright lighting. Have the same diet requirements as other dottybacks/grammas.
Anemonefishes - Angelfishes - Anthias - Assessors - Bannerfish - Basslets (Dottybacks and Grammas) - Batfishes - Blennies - Boxfishes - Butterflyfishes - Cardinalfishes - Catfishes - Cuttlefish - Damselfishes - Dartfishes - Dragonets - Drums - Eels - Filefishes - Flashlight fishes - Flatheads - Frogfishes - Goatfishes - Gobies - Groupers - Hamlets - Hawkfishes - Helmut Gurnards - Jacks - Jawfishes - Lion fishes - Livebearing Brotula - Lizardfishes - Mollies - Moorish Idol - Parrotfishes - Pinecone fishes - Pipefishes - Porcupine fishes - Pufferfishes - Rabbitfishes - Rays - Sand Perches - Scats - Scorpionfishes - Sea Basses - Seahorses - Sea Moths - Sharks - Shrimpfishes - Snappers - Soldierfishes - Spinecheeks - Squirrelfishes - Surgeonfishes (Tangs) - Sweetlips - Tilefishes - Triggerfishes - Trumpetfishes - Wrasses - Oddballs
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