All fish / Grammatidae

Blackcap Basslet

Gramma melacara

Also known as black cap basslet, blackcap gramma, black-cap basslet, black cap gramma, blackcap, メラカラ, ブラックキャップバスレット, 黑帽草莓

A slender, rich violet-purple basslet with a black streak running from the snout along the top of the head and the base of the dorsal fin. It is hardy, reef safe, and spends its time hovering near caves and overhangs, often upside down under ledges, which makes it a popular choice for reef aquariums.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

120 litres

Keep as

Singly, or a mated pair in a larger tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis and brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Central Atlantic: Caribbean Sea, Bahamas to Belize and Central America

Breeding

Males build nests of algae inside crevices where females lay eggs, and the male guards them until they hatch. Spawning happens in home tanks now and then, but raising the tiny larvae is difficult and calls for rotifers and careful husbandry.

Good to know

It can be territorial towards other basslets, dottybacks and similar cave-dwelling fish, so give it plenty of rockwork and avoid keeping two males together. It may jump, so a covered tank is wise.