Blue assessor basslet

Care at a glance

The blue assessor basslet is a small, vividly electric-blue reef fish that naturally shelters upside down in caves and under overhangs — an unusual but characteristic posture for this family. It feeds mainly on plankton drifting past its hiding spot.

Unlike many other basslets it tolerates its own kind well and can be kept in a small group, a surprisingly social sight for such a typically territorial family. Give it a reef with plenty of shaded caves and overhangs to retreat into; it's peaceful and reef safe, which makes it a good fit alongside other calm reef inhabitants.

Good to know

• Active at night

Related species

• Blackcap bassletGramma melacara
• Yellow assessor bassletAssessor flavissimus
• Cleaner wrasseLabroides dimidiatus
• Domino damselfishDascyllus trimaculatus
• Moorish idolZanclus cornutus
• Pearly jawfishOpistognathus aurifrons