Candy basslet

Care at a glance

Overview

The candy basslet is a tiny deepwater basslet that stays cryptic and cave-bound in the aquarium. It is moderately demanding to keep.

Caring for the candy basslet

Keep the candy basslet in a mature reef of at least 26 gal (100 L), with abundant caves and overhangs. Provide subdued lighting and shaded shelter so this deepwater fish settles in.

Hold the water on the cool side, at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C), with a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brine shrimp and finely chopped seafood often.

The candy basslet is mostly peaceful and safe with corals, but it will eat shrimp and crabs small enough to swallow. Keep it as the only basslet in the tank. Breeding it is hard.

Good to know

Liopropoma carmabi is a close relative of the swissguard basslet, in the family Serranidae. Its orange, red and lavender stripes make it one of the most sought-after small marine fish.

In the wild

The candy basslet lives in the western Atlantic and the Caribbean, in caves and overhangs on deep outer reef walls. It is found below 30 m and is often collected below 45 m, far below normal diving depth.

Common questions

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