The blackcap basslet (''Gramma melacara''), or blackcap gramma, is a

species A species () is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate sexes or mating types can produce fertile offspring, typically by sexual reproduction. It is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), ...

fish A fish (: fish or fishes) is an aquatic animal, aquatic, Anamniotes, anamniotic, gill-bearing vertebrate animal with swimming fish fin, fins and craniate, a hard skull, but lacking limb (anatomy), limbs with digit (anatomy), digits. Fish can ...

inhabiting

reefs A reef is a ridge or shoal of rock, coral, or similar relatively stable material lying beneath the surface of a natural body of water. Many reefs result from natural, abiotic (non-living) processes such as deposition of sand or wave eros ...

in the

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the equator, where the sun may shine directly overhead. This contrasts with the temperate or polar regions of Earth, where the Sun can never be directly overhead. This is because of Earth's ax ...

western

Atlantic Ocean The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five borders of the oceans, oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth#Surface, Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the ...

. It prefers vertical surfaces with crevices in which it can hide. It can be found at depths from (usually between ). This species can also be found in the

aquarium An aquarium (: aquariums or aquaria) is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. fishkeeping, Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquati ...

trade.

Appearance

A small fish, reaching a length of TL, it is purple with a diagonal black cap on its head. The body colour varies from magenta to purple, and there is a jet-black diagonal cap running from the lip to the fore dorsal fin. The largest scientifically measured blackcap gramma was 10.0 cm / 3.9 inches.

In the aquarium

A hardy fish, it is typically peaceful and can be kept in a reef aquarium. Care should be taken, however, to only add one fish to an aquarium, as they are territorial and do not accept other members of the same, or similar looking species in the same aquarium. Small shrimp also may get eaten by this fish. Since it likes to hide, it should only be kept in an aquarium with large amounts of

live rock Live rock is rock (geology), rock from the ocean that has been introduced into a marine aquarium, saltwater aquarium. Along with live sand, it confers to the closed marine system multiple benefits desired by the saltwater aquarium fishkeeping, hob ...

. When these fish are frightened, they hide among rocks. An aquarium that is 30 gallons or larger is ideal. If it is desired to keep more than one in an aquarium, a tank that is at least 6 feet in length should be used and they should be added at the same time. It is not advisable to house the blackcap gramma in an aquarium smaller than 30 gallons (115 litres). A lot of rocks, crevices and caves in the set up is ideal. Since it is commonly found in deep waters, it is best to avoid sharp aquarium lights. The blackcap gramma is considered reef compatible, and is commonly kept in reef aquariums. It should be kept in mind, however, that it might devour small invertebrates, such as copepods, amphipods, and isopods. The blackcap gramma can start acting territorially towards other fishes, including members of its own species, once it has settled in an aquarium. The recommended water temperature for blackcap gramma is . Keep the specific gravity at 1.020-1.025 and the pH-value between 8.1 and 8.4. The blackcap gramma is a carnivorous species that needs to be kept on a meaty diet in the aquarium. It will normally accept dead food, and it can be fed mysid shrimp, fish flesh, crustacean flesh, and mixed frozen preparations suitable for marine carnivores.

References

peteducation.com Page on Gramma melacara

External links

* {{Taxonbar, from=Q598787 melacara Fish of the Caribbean Fish described in 1963 Taxa named by James Erwin Böhlke Taxa named by John Ernest Randall