Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara)
Gramma melacara
Origin: Caribbean Sea
Water Parameters
Quick Stats
- Max Size
- 10 cm
- Min Tank
- 120 L
- Lifespan
- 5-8
- Swimming Level
- bottom
- Schooling
- No
- Diet
- Carnivore — mysis, krill, small marine meaty foods
- Temperament
- Semi-aggressive toward conspecifics; cave-dwelling; peaceful toward most dissimilar fish
About
The Blackcap Basslet displays a rich violet-purple body with a distinctive black cap on the head. It inhabits deep-water reef slopes in the wild and appreciates dimmer lighting and cave structures in captivity. More expensive and less commonly seen than the Royal Gramma, it is a prized specimen fish.
Care Guide
Provide dim lighting or shaded overhangs — place rocks to create caves and ledges at multiple levels. Feed mysis, krill, and small marine meaty foods twice daily. Keep one per system unless the tank is large (300+ L) for a potential pair. More secretive than Royal Gramma; allow settling time before expecting regular visibility.
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