Randall's assessor
Assessor randalli
Also known as Randall's Assessor Basslet, Randalli Assessor, Randall's Devilfish
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Social
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Plesiopidae
- Origin
- Western Pacific from the Ryukyu Islands and the Philippines south to the Great Barrier Reef, near caves and overhangs.
Overview
A 110 litre or larger reef with caves, ledges and overhangs suits it at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. It is fully reef safe and peaceful, only defending its own den, and can be kept in a small group in a large aquascape. Feed small meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brine and finely chopped seafood. Provide plenty of shaded overhangs so it stays out where you can see it.
In the wild
Randall's assessor is a small blue fish, developing red accents with age, that hovers under ledges and cave roofs, often swimming upside down. It is the least common of the three assessors in the trade. It is shy and peaceful, using caves for cover when startled. Groups can share a large cave-rich tank.
Good to know
Assessor randalli reaches about 8 cm and belongs to the same family as the comets and longfins, the Plesiopidae. Like its relatives it is a mouthbrooder and often orients belly-up under overhangs. It is the third and least-known member of the assessor genus.
Did you know
It often hangs upside down beneath ledges, treating the roof of a cave as its floor.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Randall's assessor is a peaceful, social species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Yellow watchman goby
Cryptocentrus cinctus
Saltwater3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)
Scissortail dartfish
Ptereleotris evides
Saltwater5.5 in (14 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Camel / dancing shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Ring cowrie
Monetaria annulus
Saltwater1.2 in (3 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Randall's assessor need?
A Randall's assessor needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Randall's assessor need?
A Randall's assessor is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Randall's assessor get?
An adult Randall's assessor reaches about 3.1 in (8 cm).
Related species
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Blue assessor
Assessor macneilli
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
2.8 in (7 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Yellow assessor
Assessor flavissimus
2.8 in (7 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
6.3 in (16 cm)55 gal (210 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Marine betta
Calloplesiops altivelis
6.3 in (16 cm) · 55 gal (210 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)53 gal (200 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Carpenter's flasher wrasse
Paracheilinus carpenteri
3.1 in (8 cm) · 53 gal (200 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–81°F (22–27°C)Chalk bass
Serranus tortugarum
3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Disco blenny
Meiacanthus smithi
3.1 in (8 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)