• HOME
• COURSES
• DIVING
• DIVE SITES
• EQUIPMENT
• INJURIES
• LESSONS
• SEA LIFE

Home › Ocean Life › Marine Species › Vertebrates › Basslets

Interesting Facts about Basslets

[Phylum: Chordata] [Class: Actinopterygii] [Order: Blenniiformes] [Family: Grammatidae]

Basslets are small marine fishes, most of which can be easily identified by their vivid and detailed body colouring, such as the fairy basslet (Gramma loreto).

This section contains fun facts and information about 50 different basslet fish species, including their diet, where they live, and how they reproduce.

Basslet Fish Family Habitat and Distribution

Scuba divers, people who enjoy snorkeling, and fishkeeping hobbyists, may have already seen small basslets.

In the wild, they are native to tropical and some subtropical waters, but especially around the shallow coral reef environments of:

• Western Atlantic Ocean
• Indian Ocean
• Caribbean Sea (including Gulf of Mexico)
• Pacific Ocean

You might also find the basslet fish species thriving in many of the temperate waters of marine habitats around the world (e.g. those with saltwater temperatures ranging between 22° and 25° Celsius).

Pro Tip: The fish family Grammatidae is a large diverse group that includes more than fifty (50) different species. As a consequence, basslets have become popular in the aquarium trade and kept as colourful pets in many small and medium-sized aquariums.

Behaviour and Characteristics of Basslets

The most striking feature of basslet fish is the intense colouration. For example, the royal gramma (scientific name Gramma loreto) is an amazing display of deep purple with a bright yellow back.

In other words, having body colours of glowing reds, bold purples, deep blues, and yellows makes them a popular choice when setting up an aquarium.

Here's the thing:

Almost all basslets are small, rarely growing more than seven (7) centimetres long (3 inches). Their body shape is best described as elongated with a prominent dorsal fin (similar to the dottyback fish species).

Despite being small enough to hide inside the crevices and underneath the ledges of coral reef formations, they are in fact quite a territorial fish species - especially the males.

What Do Basslets Eat?

When kept in a fish tank, these miniature carnivores can be fed on a variety of meaty foods, especially brine and mysis shrimp, or finely chopped seafood.

Outside of captivity, basslet fish get their nourishment in the wild by feeding on tiny marine crustaceans and most of the minute oceanic invertebrates.

Hence, their preferred daily diet will include:

• Copepods
• Crabs
• Sea urchins
• Shrimps
• Snails
• Worms
• Zooplankton

Basslet Fish Species List

Lifespan and Reproduction of Basslets

The spawning season for species that live in tropical water may occur at any time during the year. However, those that inhabit subtropical and temperate areas tend to wait for the warmer months to spawn.

When the breeding season arrives, basslet fish are oviparous, which means the female lays eggs. The males guard the eggs until they hatch - usually scattered in various cavities in the reef.

The larvae become part of the plankton bloom for the first few weeks. Then, they should have grown large enough to join the adult community.

Threats and Predators

According to the endangered species red list, the current conservation status of most basslet species is of "Least Concern".

Despite that, some of the major contributing factors for the decline in certain vulnerable areas include:

• Ocean acidification
• Habitat destruction
• Coral reef destruction
• Overfishing

Fun Fact: In general, most aquarium enthusiasts find basslets easy fish to take care of and often breed them in captivity.

Divers also enjoyed reading about...