Black Cap Basslet - Gramma melacara

Name: Black Cap Basslet - Gramma melacara
Brand: TSA Fish
SKU: BASSLETxBlkCap
Price: 129.99 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

$129.99

Black Cap Basslet - Gramma melacara

Basslets Reef Safe

$129.99

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Goes well with:

Diet

Pellets Mysis Finely Chopped Seafood

Min Tank Size 40 gallons

Temperament Peaceful

Reef Safe Yes

Care & Diet Feeding, nutrition, and best practices.

Diet Type: Carnivore

Blackcap Basslets are carnivorous and require a diet rich in protein. Feed them a varied diet consisting of high-quality marine pellets, frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. Feeding should occur once or twice daily, offering only what they can consume in a few minutes to prevent overfeeding and maintain water quality. Supplementing their diet with vitamin-enriched foods can help ensure optimal health and coloration.

Pellets Mysis Finely Chopped Seafood

Behavior Temperament, activity level, and interactions.

Temperament: Peaceful

Blackcap Basslets are shy, solitary fish that prefer swimming close to rocky crevices and coral reefs. They exhibit darting movements and often hover near their chosen territory. Territorial by nature, they defend their space against other basslets but are generally peaceful with non-aggressive tank mates. They can coexist with other small, non-threatening fish but may become stressed if housed with larger or aggressive species. Blackcap Basslets are best kept singly or in mated pairs to minimize territorial disputes.

Tank & Aquascape Tank requirements and aquascaping tips.

Min Tank Size: 40 gallons
Max Size: 4 inches
Care Level: Easy
Origin: Caribbean

Compatibility Tank mates, aggression, and introduction order.

Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes

Basslet Reef Safe Carnivore

Reef & Health Reef safety, common issues, and prevention.

Reef Safe: Yes
Care Level: Easy

FAQs Answers to the most common questions.

Can a single Blackcap Basslet be kept in a 20-gallon nano reef, and if so, what aquascape layout keeps it comfortable and visible?

Yes, a single Blackcap Basslet (Gramma melacara) can live in a 20-gallon nano reef, but it should be the primary fish in that tank. Provide a rock-heavy aquascape with at least 3–4 deep crevices or short “cave tunnels” that run from the back of the rockwork toward open water. Stack rock from bottom glass to midwater with a few overhangs; the fish prefers to wedge itself upside-down in caves or along vertical surfaces. Keep one side of the tank denser with rock so it has a “home base” and leave the opposite side more open so you actually see it during feeding. Avoid minimal-rock “open scape” layouts; they make the fish feel exposed, which increases hiding and stress.

Why does my Blackcap Basslet spend so much time hovering upside down under ledges, and how do I know if this is normal or a sign of illness?

The upside-down hovering under caves and ledges is normal behavior for Blackcap Basslets and mirrors how they orient themselves on steep reef walls in the wild. They often swim or hang at odd angles relative to the rock. Normal behavior includes: strong, steady fin movement; quick response to food; clear eyes; intact fins; and normal respiration (gill movement not excessively fast). Warning signs include: heavy breathing while stationary in open water, loss of color, clamped fins, a bloated or pinched-in belly, white spots or dusty coating, and refusal to eat for more than 2–3 days. If posture is unusual but appetite, color, and respiration are fine, it’s almost certainly just natural orientation behavior.

How aggressive are Blackcap Basslets toward other basslets and similar-shaped fish, and what are the safest tankmates to avoid territorial wars?

Blackcap Basslets are territorial and can be quite hostile toward similar-shaped or similar-colored fishes, especially other basslets and some dottybacks. They usually do best as the only basslet in the tank unless the system is 75 gallons or larger with abundant hiding spots. Avoid mixing them with Royal Grammas, Swissguard Basslets, Swalesi Basslets, or neon dottybacks in small and medium tanks. Better tankmates include peaceful, dissimilar fishes such as small reef-safe wrasses (e.g., pink-streaked, possum wrasses), small gobies, firefish (if there is a lid), and peaceful clownfish varieties. Add the Blackcap after very timid species, or rearrange some rockwork if aggression flares so it must re-establish territory.

My Blackcap Basslet is extremely shy and only darts out for food—how can I condition it to be bolder and more visible without stressing it?

To build confidence, first ensure it has multiple secure caves; paradoxically, more hiding options usually bring the fish out more often. Feed small amounts 2–3 times per day at the same spots so it learns predictable routines. Start with foods that sink or drift near its cave entrances (mysis, enriched brine, finely chopped seafood, high-quality micro pellets) rather than only surface foods. Keep lighting moderate; very bright white lighting can make them retreat, so include a dawn/dusk ramp and some shaded areas. Avoid sudden movements near the tank and loud tapping on glass. Over weeks, as it reliably eats and experiences no threats, it typically begins venturing farther from its caves during feeding windows and will gradually show itself more during normal hours.

What specific water quality and diet factors bring out the deepest purple and black coloration in a Blackcap Basslet over the long term?

Stable, very clean water and a varied, nutrient-rich diet make the biggest difference in color. Aim for: salinity 1.024–1.026, temperature 76–79°F, ammonia and nitrite at 0, nitrate consistently under ~15 ppm, and phosphate kept low but not zero. Weekly or biweekly small water changes help maintain trace elements. For diet, feed a mix of high-quality frozen and prepared foods: mysis shrimp, enriched brine, finely chopped krill or shrimp, and a good marine pellet with astaxanthin and quality marine proteins. Feed small portions 1–2 times daily so the fish stays well-fed but not bloated. Avoid long-term reliance on only flake or only brine shrimp. Good oxygenation and moderate flow around the rockwork also support overall health, which in turn maintains the fish’s intense purple body and sharp black “cap” coloration.

The Black Cap Basslet is a striking saltwater fish with an intense violet-to-magenta body and a contrasting blue-black cap extending across the head and upper back. Subtle blue accents around the eyes and fins become especially vivid under reef aquarium lighting, giving this compact marine aquarium fish a dramatic appearance without requiring the space of a large centerpiece species.

Native to the tropical western Atlantic, Gramma melacara occurs throughout the Greater Caribbean, including the Bahamas, West Indies, and parts of Central America. It naturally inhabits steep reef faces, vertical drop-offs, caves, and deep outer-reef ledges, where it often rests beneath overhangs or swims upside down beside rock surfaces. The species reaches approximately 4 inches and quickly retreats into crevices when threatened.

Its brilliant coloration, manageable adult size, and dependable coral compatibility make the Black Cap Basslet highly desirable for established reef aquariums and peaceful fish-only aquariums. It is generally hardy once acclimated, although it may defend its chosen cave from other basslets and similarly shaped fish.

Quick Care Guide

Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Minimum Tank Size: 40 gallons
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore / Planktivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Region: Greater Caribbean, including the Bahamas, West Indies, and Central America
Scientific Name: Gramma melacara

Tank Requirements

Provide a mature aquarium with substantial live rock arranged into caves, shaded overhangs, vertical surfaces, and narrow crevices. The Black Cap Basslet will typically select one protected retreat and spend much of its time hovering near the entrance. It may orient sideways or upside down beneath rock ledges, which is normal behavior rather than a sign of illness.

Leave some open water around the rockwork for feeding and short swimming movements. Moderate, well-distributed flow is appropriate, but the aquascape should include calmer sheltered areas. A specialized substrate is not required, and either reef sand or fine gravel may be used.

Because this species naturally occurs on deeper reef faces, newly introduced specimens often appreciate subdued lighting and shaded retreats. It can adapt to normal reef lighting when adequate caves are available. Use a securely fitted lid or mesh cover, as basslets may jump when startled or chased.

Diet and Feeding

The Black Cap Basslet is a carnivorous planktivore that feeds on zooplankton and small crustaceans around reef structures. In captivity, offer mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped shrimp or clam, small krill, frozen marine carnivore blends, and appropriately sized sinking or slow-sinking pellets.

Feed one or two small meals daily, allowing food to drift near the fish’s preferred cave. Newly introduced individuals may be reluctant to move far into open water, so targeted feeding near the rockwork can help them settle in. A varied diet supports healthy body condition and strong coloration.

Temperament and Tankmates

The Black Cap Basslet is generally peaceful toward unrelated community fish but can become territorial once it establishes a cave. Suitable tankmates include clownfish, cardinalfish, gobies, blennies, firefish, peaceful wrasses, dwarf angelfish, and other non-predatory marine fish.

Keep one specimen in most home aquariums. Avoid combining it with other Gramma species, similarly shaped basslets, or assertive dottybacks unless the aquarium is considerably larger and provides clearly separated territories. A known compatible pair may be maintained in a spacious system, but two randomly selected individuals may fight.

Although confident around its shelter, this basslet may be intimidated by highly aggressive fish or exceptionally competitive feeders. Introduce it before more territorial species whenever possible.

Reef Compatibility

The Black Cap Basslet is considered reef safe. It does not normally damage stony corals, soft corals, zoanthids, anemones, clams, snails, or other sessile reef inhabitants. It is an excellent choice for coral-focused displays where vivid fish coloration is desired.

Very small crustaceans, including copepods, amphipods, and tiny shrimp, may be consumed as natural prey. Healthy adult ornamental shrimp are generally left alone, but newly hatched or exceptionally small crustaceans should not be considered completely protected.

Water Parameters

Temperature: 75–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.024–1.026
pH: 8.1–8.4
Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Maintain consistent salinity, good oxygenation, and stable water quality. Stability is more important than repeatedly adjusting the aquarium to reach a single exact value.

Common Considerations

Provide shaded caves: Secure overhangs and crevices help this deeper-water basslet acclimate and display natural behavior.
Use a secure cover: Basslets can jump when startled, pursued, or newly introduced.
Expect territorial behavior: The fish may chase other basslets or similarly shaped species away from its chosen cave.
Upside-down swimming is normal: It frequently orients itself to the ceilings and walls of caves and reef ledges.
Allow time to settle: A new specimen may remain hidden and feed close to shelter before becoming more visible.