Any experience with Liopropoma basslets?

[Zionas]

Many are rare / never seen and / or very deepwater, but it seems that L. Swalesi, L. Carambi and L. Rubre are the ones usually found. Does anyone keep one or a pair of them? If so, any special care requirements?

They’re really beautiful but my concern is due to their very timid nature (from what I’ve read), my concern is they can’t be enjoyed in a larger setup. Maybe that’s not true.

How long have you had yours and are there any tankmates that get too large or boisterous for them?

 

[reef_ranch]

I have a L. Carambi in a 340g peninsula display with an open reef structure, 3 large tangs, a large angel, wrasses and anthias. Its a very active fish pospulation. The Carmabi fits right in. He generally keeps close to the rockwork but is not cryptic at all. He doesn't interact with other fish, just cruises around doing his own thing. One of my favorites.

In a previous tank I had a L. Swalesi. Very similar habits to the Carmabi.

 

[Zionas]

That’s nice. Glad to know it was out and about. Was it a picky eater at all? And how did you have both of them?

 

[reef_ranch]

Not a picky eater at all. Not sure what you mean by the second question, but if your asking how long I had them, I've had the Cramabi for close to 4 years. Can't recall how long I had the Swalesi but it was many years.

 

[Zionas]

Yeah that’s what I meant, just can’t type English today. I’m glad they can live for a while.

 

[CC_N]

I have a L. Carambi in a 340g peninsula display with an open reef structure, 3 large tangs, a large angel, wrasses and anthias. Its a very active fish pospulation. The Carmabi fits right in. He generally keeps close to the rockwork but is not cryptic at all. He doesn't interact with other fish, just cruises around doing his own thing. One of my favorites.

In a previous tank I had a L. Swalesi. Very similar habits to the Carmabi.

I've heard people said candy basslet are shy and often get lost in the rock work in a big tank. Your tank is a VERY big tank.

 

[reef_ranch]

I've heard people said candy basslet are shy and often get lost in the rock work in a big tank. Your tank is a VERY big tank.

Part of it may be that it’s a pretty open scape.

 

[Zionas]

My scape won’t exactly be open though it won’t be cluttered with rock either. I do still wonder whether I’ll have a hard time seeing a pair of these basslets in a tank 180+ gallons. So these fish are rarely if ever out in the open? The tank’s going to be like 7.5’ x 2’ x 2’ (90” x 24” x 24”) so about 215 gallons filled.

 

[reef_ranch]

My scape won’t exactly be open though it won’t be cluttered with rock either. I do still wonder whether I’ll have a hard time seeing a pair of these basslets in a tank 180+ gallons. So these fish are rarely if ever out in the open? The tank’s going to be like 7.5’ x 2’ x 2’ (90” x 24” x 24”) so about 215 gallons filled.

My scape is pretty open with lots of overhangs and open caves so there’s really nowhere for the fish to go deep and out of sight. That said, he’s not trying to stay hidden either but cruises around the lower part of the tank going from structure to structure. Easy to spot but not often in the open open water column except sometimes when I feed. Here he is this morning:

 

[reef_ranch]

 

[Zionas]

Awesome! I see you have a hybrid Lemonpeel x Half Black too. Was it wild caught or bred by Bali Aquarich?

 

[reef_ranch]

the hybrid is wild caught

 

[Fishfreak2009]

I have a L. Carambi in a 340g peninsula display with an open reef structure, 3 large tangs, a large angel, wrasses and anthias. Its a very active fish pospulation. The Carmabi fits right in. He generally keeps close to the rockwork but is not cryptic at all. He doesn't interact with other fish, just cruises around doing his own thing. One of my favorites.

In a previous tank I had a L. Swalesi. Very similar habits to the Carmabi.

My old L. swalesi behaved just like you described. I'd keep one again if I could find one available locally for sale.

 

[Chrisv.]

I helped a guy move a 300 gallon tank once. We found a swiss guard that he said he hadn't seen in years. To be fair, his tank was happy chaos. Big horseshoe aquascape that was open on one end.

 

[CC_N]

That fish pops !

 

[Zionas]

How the heck did it sustain itself all those years? Or maybe it only showed itself briefly during feeding time?

In your opinion do you think a smaller tank’s actually better for seeing these guys?

 

[Chrisv.]

How the heck did it sustain itself all those years? Or maybe it only showed itself briefly during feeding time?

In your opinion do you think a smaller tank’s actually better for seeing these guys?

Well he had an absolute beast of a tank and he fed it like crazy. I'm sure it fed mostly on things like amphipods and whatever fell through the cracks in the rock. The tank had the exact opposite of what they call a negative space aquascape these days. Was old and fat and every bit of 3 inches.

 

[Zionas]

That’s nice. I think I’m still gonna consider a pair of them. Do they change sex?

 

[Chrisv.]

That’s nice. I think I’m still gonna consider a pair of them. Do they change sex?

Every now and again a pair turns up on the US market. It's been a while though. Maybe you will have better luck in HK.

Not sure if they change sex, but if try to find a bonded pair, just in case there are issues.

 

[Zionas]

Yeah thanks, will try. I know a guy who’s trying to get broodstock so he can breed them.