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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.
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.
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:
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.
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