The Lipogramma genus is a small group of 8 Basslets that are relatively unknown by most aquarists due to their deep water homes. Like Prognathodes aya, these are rare and beautiful fish from the Western Atlantic.
L. evides
L. flavescens
L. trilineatum
L. klayi
L. anabantoides
L. regia/regium
L. robinsi
L. roseum
The Banded Basslet (Lipogramma evides) is a deep water species that is unlikely to make [...]
The Lipogramma genus is a small group of 8 Basslets that are relatively unknown by most aquarists due to their deep water homes. Like Prognathodes aya, these are rare and beautiful fish from the Western Atlantic.
- L. evides
- L. flavescens
- L. trilineatum
- L. klayi
- L. anabantoides
- L. regia/regium
- L. robinsi
- L. roseum
The Banded Basslet (Lipogramma evides) is a deep water species that is unlikely to make it’s way to the US market. This is a sought after fish by the top collectors in Asia and with a price tag of $3,000USD the few that are collected will likely continue going there. Lipogramma evides is found between 40 and +350m deep making it a difficult fish to collect. Most often this fish inhabits waters deeper than 100m.
The specimen shown below was capture at 130m! [Photo via Koji Wada] Not wanting to needle the fish, the acclimation was a slow one taking 3 days in total to bring it to the surface. The first day the fish was brought from 130m to 70m, the second from 70m to 30m and the third 30m to the surface. After that it was on it’s way to Japan where is quickly sold for $3K. The metallic blue in it’s fins is not captured well here, but it’s a beautiful and subtle touch to it’s otherwise black and white body.
During this trip the extremely rare Lipogramma flavescens was also collected with the same acclimation procedure. For those of you who attended Koji Wada’s presentation at MACNA saw this fish, that unfortunately did not acclimate well to the pressure changes and lived only one night in captivity. L. flavescens generally inhabits waters of 180-300m deep. If and when available expect to see it go for 3 times as much as L. evides, ~$10K.
The Bicolor Basslet (Lipogramma klayi) is occasionally overlooked as an overpriced Gramma loreto… which it certainly is not! A more vibrant coloration, smaller size, and missing black dot separate this fish which is found at +45m occupying reef slopes and walls. Although still a rare fish, it pops up in the trade now and then. This specimen was collected at 130m in Curacao [Photos via Tatsuro].
The Threeline Basslet (Lipogramma trilineatum) also occasionally pops up. A beautiful fish, but less desirable to some than L. klayi.
Charles Delbeek states L. klayi and L. trilineatum adapt well to aquarium life, but can be very shy at first:
Once acclimated to the tank and their tankmates, they will show themselves more frequently, eventually spending a great deal of time in the open (Thresher, 1980). Lipogramma klayi tend to be aggressive among themselves and should not be kept in large groups in small aquariums (Thresher, 1980). Being planktonic feeders, they will eat almost anything and are quite hardy.
The Lipogrammas are a unique group of deepwater fish that many do not know about. L. klayi has quickly become a favorite of mine and is always welcome in the glassbox!
A special thanks to Koji Wada for sharing his stories and photos on L. evides and L. flavescens.
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