Liopropoma carmabi

(Randall, 1963)

Candy Basslet

Range: Western Atlantic Ocean: Florida Keys, Bahamas to northern South America.

Size: 3 inches (6 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits crevices in coral reefs and is found at depths between 50 – 200 feet (15 – 60 m) where it feeds mainly on small crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade, and quite attractive having a reddish orange body with lavender orange horizontal lines separated by red lines.

Best maintained in reef aquariums, yet also can be maintained in fish-only aquariums if they have many rocky hiding places/crevices to investigate or take shelter, as most in this family are quite shy/secretive. May hide for several days upon entering the aquarium, yet will become more bold as time passes and will spend most of its time in full view.

As to diet, products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should make up the majority of their diet. Therefore a meaty diet such as enriched finely chopped fresh fish or shrimp flesh, and/or frozen carnivore foods should be fed every other day, or about three times per week in well-established aquariums. In newly established aquariums, feed once every day.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Serranidae

Subfamily: Liopropomatinae

Genus: Liopropoma

FYI: Not safe with small ornamental crustaceans.

Most often collected at depths below 100 feet (30 m), which adds to its retail cost!

May be seen more often if maintained in a dimly lit tank.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution/will eat small crustaceans

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 81°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5