Swissguard Basslet Care Guide
Liopropoma rubre is a secretive western Atlantic reef fish with red-margined dark stripes that lives in deep crevices and is rarely observed.
Overview
Liopropoma rubre is a small serranid with a moderately elongated, compressed body and a pointed head. It is yellow-orange marked with about five wide black lines bordered with red, and the dorsal and anal fins carry pale-blue-edged dark spots. Despite being a common species it is secretive and therefore rarely seen.
Taxonomy
- Family: Serranidae (subfamily Epinephelinae)
- Genus: Liopropoma
- Scientific name: Liopropoma rubre
- Common synonyms: Peppermint Basslet
Habitat
The species occurs in the western Atlantic from Bermuda and the Bahamas into the Gulf of Mexico and through the Caribbean, including the Florida Keys, Flower Garden Banks and Campeche Bank. It lives in coral reefs within deep crevices and caves, recorded from about 3 to 46 m. It is solitary and rarely leaves cover.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 23-26 °C (73-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Aquascape: rockwork with multiple caves and crevices
Diet
Liopropoma rubre is carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans and small fishes in the wild. In aquaria it accepts meaty marine foods; because it is shy, it is best fed twice daily and given quiet conditions so it leaves cover to feed.
Compatibility
The fish is peaceful and reef-safe. It does best with calm tankmates such as firefish gobies and small wrasses, and should be kept away from aggressive fish, large predators and dottybacks that might intimidate it.
Breeding
There is some evidence that Liopropoma rubre is a protogynous hermaphrodite. Captive breeding is not established.