Candy Basslet

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Tropical Western Atlantic, from the Bahamas to the Netherlands Antilles. Found at significant depths, usually between 30 and 80 meters in deep reef caves.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the genus Liopropoma. Named in honor of the CARMABI marine research institute in Curaçao.

Social Behavior: Peaceful but highly cryptic and shy. Hovers near the roofs of caves and rocky crevices, often swimming upside down.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Spectacular coloration consisting of alternating horizontal stripes of bright orange, red, and neon lavender, divided by thin red outlines.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature marine aquarium of at least 80 liters with plenty of live rock to form caves and overhangs.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivorous. Readily accepts frozen foods like mysis, brine shrimp, and copepods, as well as high-quality dry pellets.

Water Quality: Standard marine parameters: temperature 22-26 °C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and stable water quality with moderate current.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Highly peaceful and completely reef safe. Safe with corals and ornamental shrimp, but should not be housed with aggressive fish.

Aquarium Breeding: Spawning in home aquariums is undocumented. Pelagic spawner. Eggs and larvae drift in open water before settling.

Risks and Diseases: Very hardy once acclimated. The main risk is jumping out of open aquariums; a tight-fitting lid is essential.