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Who?
Family: Grammatidae
Species: Gramma loreto
Species ID: G.GL
Description: A small fish with an elongated body and long, elegant pelvic fins (1). The fairy basslet has a distinctive colour pattern with a bright blue to purple head and bright yellow rear, typically with some yellow lines on the cheeks just over the gill covers (2), a dark line running diagonally through the eye (3), and a black spot at the leading edge of the dorsal fin (4). Sexes appear similar, although males grow larger than females, and juveniles resemble adults
Maximum Size: 8 cm (3 in)
Longevity: Typically 5 years, but can live up to 13 years
Status: Not enough information is currently available to assess the IUCN status of this species
Fairy Basslet & People: The fairy basslet is not caught as a food fish, but is intensely collected for the aquarium trade
Where?
Geographical Range: Found throughout the Caribbean, though largely absent from the Gulf of Mexico
Coral Reef Zone: Found in the fore reef and drop-off zones
Favourite Habitat: Prefer steep, vertical habitats such as tall coral outcroppings or reef walls with plenty of caves and ledges for hiding
Depth Range : 1–60 m (3-180 ft)
A Day in The Life:
Dawn: Courtship and mating behaviour occurs at dawn
Day: During the day, fairy basslets feed, defend their territories and maintain nests in season
Dusk: Fairy basslets seek shelter for the night
Night: Fairy basslets rest deep inside shelter holes
Who Eats Who
The fairy basslet feeds mainly on small free-living crustaceans that drift in the current, such as copepods, mysid shrimp, and the planktonic larvae of larger crustaceans. Occasionally they pick parasitic organisms from larger fish. This basslet is eaten by a variety of reef predators including snapper, grouper, and eels.
Scuba Diver & Snorkeler Best Practices
Never remove living organisms from the reef : A beautiful shell or piece of coral may make a tempting gift for a friend and family member, but needless to say, removing organisms from the coral reef is incredibly damaging and often illegal. Shells are often home to living creatures, whether it is the original inhabitant or a sheltering hermit crab. Certain shells play a vital role in the health of the reef, such as the large, horn shaped ‘triton trumpet’, the only natural predator of the coral consuming crown of thorns starfish. Remember the maxim: “Take only pictures and memories; leave only bubbles.”
