Blackcap Basslet

Blackcap Basslet

Gramma melacara

Also known as: Blackcap Gramma

🧂 Saltwater ✌️ Peaceful 🟡 Moderate 🥩 Carnivore Reef Safe

Vivid magenta-purple body with a jet-black diagonal cap on the head. A deeper-water relative of the royal gramma.

Tank Size

30 gal
minimum (55+ preferred)

Temperature

74–82°F
23–28°C

pH Range

8–8.4
water acidity

Max Size

4"
10.2 cm

Lifespan

5–8 years
typical in captivity

Swim Level

Middle
preferred zone

Care Notes

Prefers moderate to dim lighting. Territorial toward its cave. Do not keep with royal grammas. Hardy once established.

Feeding

Frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, and marine pellets.

Compatible Tank Mates

Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse 3" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Yellow Watchman Goby 4" Diamond Goby 6" Mandarin Dragonet 3" Neon Goby 2" Court Jester Goby 3" McCosker's Flasher Wrasse 3" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Wheeler's Watchman Goby 3" Citron Goby 2" Yasha Goby 2"

Use Caution With

Ocellaris Clownfish 3" True Percula Clownfish 3" Blue Green Chromis 3" Yellowtail Damselfish 2.5" Blue Tang 12" Yellow Tang 8" Kole Tang 7" Clarkii Clownfish 5" Tomato Clownfish 5" Scopas Tang 8" Naso Tang 18" Convict Tang 8"

Incompatible With

Maroon Clownfish 6" Blue Devil Damselfish 3" Powder Blue Tang 9" Achilles Tang 10" Purple Tang 10" Three Stripe Damselfish 3" Domino Damselfish 5" Four Stripe Damselfish 3" Jewel Damselfish 6" Clown Tang 15" Catalina Goby 2.5" Royal Gramma 3"

Check Compatibility

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