The Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) is a small, brightly colored fish found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a popular choice for marine aquariums due to its striking appearance and relatively peaceful nature.
Description & Characteristics
The Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) is a small fish, reaching a maximum size of 10.0 cm. It is distinguished by its vibrant coloration. The body is primarily a deep red to orange hue, with a distinctive black “cap” covering the head and extending down to the pectoral fins. The belly is typically a lighter yellow or orange, creating a striking contrast against the darker body. The Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) also has a large, prominent mouth and relatively large eyes.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) is found in the western Atlantic Ocean. It is a common sight in coral reefs and rocky areas. It is known to inhabit a wide depth range, from 10.0 to 180.0 meters, making it a versatile species capable of adapting to different environments. This suggests it might be present in both the neritic zone, which encompasses the shallow waters above the continental shelf, as well as the bathyal zone, the deeper region beyond the shelf break. The Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) is also found in the epipelagic zone, the sunlit surface layer of the ocean, and may venture into the mesopelagic zone, the twilight zone of the ocean, based on its depth range.
Taxonomy
The species Gramma melacara belongs to the Class: Teleostei, Order: Ovalentaria incertae sedis, and Family: Grammatidae. This places it within the larger group of bony fish (Teleostei), which comprise the majority of fish species. The order Ovalentaria incertae sedis is a diverse group of fish with uncertain evolutionary relationships, highlighting the ongoing research into fish taxonomy. The family Grammatidae, which includes the Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara), is a group of primarily colorful reef-dwelling fish found in tropical and subtropical waters worldwide.
Feeding
The Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) is a carnivorous fish, primarily feeding on a diet of small invertebrates. Its preferred prey includes copepods, brine shrimp, daphnia salina, zooplankton, krill, and mysis shrimp. In an aquarium environment, the Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) can be fed a variety of commercially available frozen foods, including larger and smaller varieties, along with live brine shrimp and mysis shrimp.
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