Description
Dejong’s Basslet ( Gramma dejongi ) is a small, colorful Caribbean basslet closely related to the Royal Gramma. It has an orange-yellow body with vivid magenta-purple pelvic fins and a purple front dorsal fin, edged by a thin purple rim along the back. In the purple area there is a characteristic black spot, and the purple from the pelvic fins “bleeds” slightly into the belly. As the fish matures, this coloration becomes more intense, and a bluish-purple tint often appears in the anal fin. In the wild, Dejong’s Basslets live around shallow reefs, staying close to caves and overhangs where they often hang upside-down under ledges. They form small territories in these caves, usually with one to a few individuals. In an aquarium, it is safest to keep a single specimen in smaller tanks. In larger, well-structured systems it is sometimes possible to keep a group; for the best chance of success, introduce young fish of different sizes at the same time and provide plenty of hiding spots to reduce squabbling. Dejong’s Basslet is a planktivore and should be fed several small meals per day. Offer a varied diet of small meaty live and frozen foods such as copepods and brine shrimp. Once settled, most individuals will also accept high-quality flakes and micro-pellets. This species is reef-safe and well suited to peaceful community reef tanks with stable water parameters and ample rockwork for shelter.
