Farit Basslet
If you have ever dive a wall, or observe under recesses in the reefs, most likely you may have seen these fish in the tropical waters of the Caribbean. The upper part of the body being purple and lower half being yellow these are definitely an attractive species of basslet. The Fairy Basslet, also known as Royal Gramma, usually swim upside-down under these recesses and along the wall feeding, or males protecting their brood of eggs.
The diet of these fish consists of invertebrates and also sometimes on small fish. When mating during the period of January or February until June, the Fairy Basslet males prepare the nest. They pluck out algae, and remove micro-invertebrates using their mouths by blowing. They then create a cushion like mat in the deeper areas of teethe small holes or narrow crevices. The males also use algae to block off other entrances to nesting holes. Mouth full of silts are also periodically removed from the nest and into open water. During nesting, as many as 3 up to 7 females lay eggs in a male’s algae nest, on consecutive days, during dawn.
The eggs are negatively buoyant and are about 1mm. The eggs are cling together by tendrils and as well intertwined with algae. The male Fairy Basslet guard the eggs, hovering infant the nests or rests inside the entry way with its head out. Aside from guarding the eggs, the males also care an maintain them by fanning them and remove infertile eggs. After 10-11 days, 3-4mm larvae with silver eyes and well developed jaws hatch.
Fairt Basslet hanging upside down