Gramma melacara
| Common Names: | Black Cap Basslet |
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| Family: | Grammatidae |
| Category: | Percoids |
| Distribution: | Atlantic - West; Tropical western Atlantic from the Bahamas to Venezuela. |
| Main Ecosystem: | Reef; Reef |
| Temperament: | Peaceful; These fish are excellent community tank fish, tending to stay to themselves. Care should be noted if placing more than one of the same species, or any fish in the Pseudchromis and Basslet family (includes Dottyback and Gramma) aggression has been noted. If two are desired, known mated pairs are best otherwise a 6ft system is suggested. |
| Diet: | Carnivore; Carnivore |
| Care: | Easily cared for, they are great beginner fish. Will readily accept brine shrimp and meaty fares, but will also accept flake and dried foods. Hoods should be placed on tanks, as these fish are known jumpers. Basslets make great additions for reef tanks, staying small, not bothering invertebrates, and keeping deviant live rock critters, like benthic crustaceans and worms in population check. Basslets require nooks and overhangs for hiding. Liverock decor should be abundant. |
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| Potential Size: | Male: 10cm (3.9") Female: 10cm (3.9") |
| Water Region: | Middle; Middle |
| Activity: | Diurnal; Diurnal |
| Gender: | No obvious differences between sexes |
| Breeding: | Males build nests from algae and plant scraps; both parents guard the gray eggs, numbering up to four hundred. Basslets are among one of the first marine species to have been successfully bred in captivity. |
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| Main Colours: | Purple, Black |
| Markings: | No Markings |
| Mouth: | Normal |
| Tail: | Concave |
| Search: | Show similar species Find compatible species |
| Image Credit: | ;Dan |
| Submitted By: | Dan |
| Contributors: | sirbooks |
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