Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara)
Fish in the family Grammatidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A small, elongated basslet with a striking bicolored pattern: the head and anterior body are deep purple to black, while the posterior body and tail are bright yellow to yellow-orange. The fish has a slightly compressed body shape typical of the Grammatidae family, with a pointed snout and a single continuous dorsal fin.
Diet and feeding
Feed frozen mysis shrimp, small crustaceans, and high-quality carnivorous pellets. Offer food 2–3 times daily in small portions.
Difficulty and care for the Blackcap Basslet
Moderate difficulty. The Blackcap Basslet is hardy once acclimated but demands secure hiding places and careful feeding observation, as its shy nature can make it reluctant to eat in open water.
Common health issues
Ich, parasitic infections, starvation due to competition or shyness
Origin and habitat
Caribbean and Western Atlantic, including the Bahamas, Florida Keys, and south to Brazil. Found in deep reef environments typically below 100 feet.
Log Blackcap Basslet in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Blackcap Basslet alongside everything else in your reef.
