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Related FAQs: Grammas, Grammas 2, Gramma Identification, Gramma Behavior, Gramma Compatibility, Gramma Selection, Gramma Systems, Gramma Feeding, Gramma Health, Gramma Reproduction,

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Grammas and Roundheads in Small Marine Aquariums

Bob Fenner  

  

Small Marine Aquariums
Book 1:
Invertebrates, Algae
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Small Marine Aquariums
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ook 2:
Fishes

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Small Marine Aquariums
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Systems

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                Here I’ve combined two families of not distantly related bass-like fishes for consideration for stocking smaller systems. Both families, the Grammatids and Plesiopids , have popular, readily available members that can be suitable; as well as occasional oddballs and some of the latter that are spectacular, but get too large for tanks of a few tens of gallons.

 

 

Grammas: “Just what you see” (Response to ArnoldS in Terminator)

           

            All told there are thirteen described species (in two genera; Gramma and Lipogramma) that make up the family Grammatidae. Of these, two are on offer most of the year in the trade wild caught. Occasionally you might see others on exclusive websites for big bongo bucks. I’ll stick with just showing you what most of us can find, afford… IF you’re super well-off, DO look for Gramma dejongi, Gramma linki, the Lipogrammas… and contact me re cleaning your tanks.

 

These fishes are easily overlooked in the wild, being small, secretive, and quick to "exit stage left". Being an avid diver and having frequented their environments for more than twenty five years I can assure you their numbers are many. A bright, small flashlight reveals them hiding up close, and at angles along cave walls and ledges.

The two valuable species and their congener are found in the same sorts of steeply (seventy percent plus) inclined reef fronts, aka "walls". The Royal Gramma occupies the shallowest waters, very generally from the surface to 60-80 feet, being dislocated by the Black-Cap, Gramma melacara, which is in turn is displaced by the third Gramma species, the yellow-cheek Gramma linki, at 120-160 feet on down.

You can understand, given the necessary hang-time (hours) to decompress and limited diver collecting minutes, why the deeper water species cost so much more.

The 'other' Gramma genus Lipogramma is rarely seen in the trade as these fish are deep water denizens that, though attractive and equally peaceable as the genus Gramma, are not as strikingly colored. Lipogramma klayi is sometimes found as a 'contaminant', mixed in with Gramma loreto shipments as it is similar appearing, and years past has found the further south version/congeneric G. brasiliensis sold as G. loreto. Nowayears it’s sold separately, for more money.

Gramma loreto, the Royal Gramma is the Basslet or Gramma to many. Colorwise it's front half varies from purple to violet, with the back half a bright yellow. This one in the Bahamas… Or maybe it’s been inhaled by a Lionfish by now?

Gramma melacara, the Black-Cap Gramma (or Basslet if you must) is even more desirable in my opinion with its brilliant purple body, jet black diagonal cap and frosty-white tipped forked tail. Below, a ligher purple one cruising “upside down” (not unusual) under rocks (typical habitat) in Cozumel; next to a more typically colored individual in captivity.

 

 

 

Roundheads: Really just the Assessors and Marine Betta can be found, are pretty enough, and/or not too big for forty or less gallon systems. The family Plesiopidae comprises some twelve genera, forty nine species… of these only a couple Assessors (common and genus name the same) make their way into the industry… a few other “Devils”, genus Paraplesiops come in every once in a while, but they get too big for our discussion, inclusion here.  Oh, bonus: both Assessor and Calloplesiops/Marine Betta species shown are captive-produced, generally available; and even heartier and more aquarium suitable.

 

 

Assessor flavissimus Allen & Kuiter 1976, the Yellow Devilfish. Great Barrier Reef (Australia) endemic. To a little over two inches in length. 

Assessor macneilli Whitley 1935, the Blue Devilfish. Found on Australia's GBR and New Caledonia. To two and a quarter inches in length. One photographed off Heron Island, Queensland, Australia.

 

Calloplesiops altivelis Steindachner 1903, the Comet or Marine Betta. Indo-Pacific, including the Red Sea. To a bit over six inches maximum overall length; requiring a forty gallon system. A shy species that requires a dark cave and peaceful tankmates to thrive. Aquarium image. Oh, is this fish a Batesian mimic of the Moray Eel, Gymnothorax meleagris? Some think the head of the moray and the tail of the Comet similar. Neat way to avoid predators eh?

 

Selection:

The single most important 'tip' on picking the best specimens of these fishes I can grant you is to be patient; wait a good week or two after your supplier receives theirs to purchase them; this brief period will allow acclimation to aquarium conditions and virtually eliminate incidental losses.

            As most of these fishes are wild-collected, they often show signs of damage from netting, decompressing. Don’t let torn fins or a few missing scales dissuade you from further consideration. These fishes are tough, and if not too-starved, otherwise healthy, will repair in short order.

 

            The just-mentioned damage in collection (for wild-collected specimens, not the better captive-produced) extends to internal injuries consideration/testing. The usual “feed before purchasing” includes these fishes. They are eager eaters of all small meaty foods; and ones who are not hungry… should be questionable.

 

Compatibility:


            Though you find Gramma loreto in apparent close association with its own species in the wild, these fishes are best kept one to a tank (unless you’re trying to breed them…); and without similar appearing species (Blennies, Gobies, Dottybacks…) lest there be possible conflicts, fighting amongst them.

 

Systems:

 

            Need to include a plethora of cover; rocks, caves, overhangs… for these species of fishes to be comfortable. Do plan on yours hiding for a few to several days on first introduction, and being shy regarding foods, feeding. Best to train it to take unnatural foods by the use of a more eager eater stocked in the same system. A Damsel, Cardinalfish/es, Lysmata sp. Shrimp are some good examples of such “trainers”.

 

Cloze:

 

            Eventually other, deeper water species of these families will be found, the likelier candidates that are small and beautiful captive-produced, made affordable, and enjoyed by small marine system aquarists worldwide. Though cryptic to a large degree in the wild and captivity, their interesting behavior and colour/markings warrant their inclusion in our systems.          

 

 

Bibliography/Further Reading:

Hemdal, Jay. 1985. Caribbean Basslets. TFH 12/85.

Nelson, Joseph S. 1994. Fishes of the World, 3rd ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. NY.

Ott, Gerhard. Undated. Gramma loreto from a snorkelers viewpoint. Aquarium Digest International #34.

Randall, John E. 1968. Caribbean Reef Fishes. T.F.H. Publ., NJ.

Thresher, Ronald. 1975. Caribbean Basslets. Marine Aquarist 6(2):75. 

Roundheads/Assessors/Marine Betta:

Baez, Jacqueline. 1998. Breeding the Marine Comet: A challenge for the best. SeaScope v. 15, Summer 98.

Hunziker, Ray. 1987. Majestic marines: Calloplesiops altivelis and C. argus. TFH 12/87.

Lapira, Noel E. 1973. This is the Comet. TFH 1/73.

Michael, Scott W. 1991. A guide to the Comets (genus Calloplesiops). SeaScope v.8, Spring 91.

Michael, Scott W. 1996. Roundheads- dwellers of coral caverns. AFM 4/96. 

Small Marine Aquariums
Book 1:
Invertebrates, Algae
New Print and eBook on Amazon:
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
Small Marine Aquariums
B
ook 2:
Fishes

New Print and eBook on Amazon: by Robert (Bob) Fenner
Small Marine Aquariums
Book 3:
Systems

New Print and eBook on Amazon:
by Robert (Bob) Fenner
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