Swissguard Basslet
Liopropoma rubre
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity |
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Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Semi-Aggressive |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Carnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 10 gallons |
| Max Size | 3 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Swissguard Basslet (Liopropoma rubre), also called the peppermint basslet, is a Caribbean reef basslet with a red body marked by horizontal striping and dark fin accents with pale edging.
It is a cave-oriented fish that spends much of its time weaving through rockwork and ledges before making short, confident passes into the open water.
What You’ll Observe:
- Picking a favorite crevice and repeatedly returning to the same ledge or overhang
- Short, quick “patrol” loops from the rocks, then back into cover
- Most visible when food hits the water column, especially once it learns the routine
- Occasional displays toward similarly shaped fish that approach its chosen area
To succeed, provide a reef-style aquascape with multiple caves and shaded pockets so it can establish a consistent retreat. Offer small meaty foods (like mysis, brine, and finely chopped seafood) in smaller portions more than once per day to match its natural hunting pattern. In mixed communities, it does best when tankmates allow it space to keep a “home base” in the rockwork.
Is it normal for a Swissguard Basslet to stay in the rocks most of the day at first?
Yes’many settle in by choosing one primary cave and then expanding their swim pattern outward as they learn the tank’s daily routine.
Why does my Swissguard Basslet follow my cleaner shrimp around?
Some owners report the fish repeatedly approaching cleaner shrimp and even “posing” for cleaning, which can look like stalking but often stays non-aggressive.
Can a Swissguard Basslet be kept with very small ornamental shrimp?
They are generally considered reef compatible, but hobbyists often debate risk with the smallest shrimp, so success tends to be best when shrimp are established and not tiny.
Do Swissguard Basslets ever show unexpected aggression after months of being calm?
It can happen, especially when a new fish is introduced into the basslet’s established territory; giving both fish “fresh” space can help the dynamic reset.
Should I use an acclimation box when introducing a Swissguard Basslet?
Many keepers introduce them without a box, but using one can be helpful if you want a controlled first day of visibility and feeding in a busy display.
Our selection process means you get robust, well-adjusted specimens that settle in quickly.
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