Adding a Black Cap Basslet? Need advice, plz n TY for help!

MikeD88 · May 10, 2020

So I was looking to finish off the livestock in my Red Sea Reefer 350. So far I’ve got a BIOTA TR Yellow Tang, 2 storm clowns, ORA spotted mandarin, 3 Lyretail Anthias (1 male; 2 females) and 2 cleaner shrimp. I’m thinking about adding a black cap basslet and maybe a Blue Hippo. I’m trying to stop myself from doing the hippo but my kids are very persistent and want one really bad. Anyhow I’m looking for general advice on ideas of different fish and whether or not the Black Cap Basslet is a good choice? Thank you guys as always!

Redfoxtang · May 10, 2020

I love my Black cap. He doesn’t pick on any one and minds his own little cave. Not aggressive by any means.

GK3 · May 10, 2020

I had one in a softy tank. Didn’t pick at corals but I also never saw him. Really cool fish, just wish it didn’t hide so much.

nereefpat · May 10, 2020

MikeD88 said:
I’m trying to stop myself from doing the hippo but my kids are very persistent and want one really bad.

Yellow tail damsel instead.

Black cap baslets are awesome, and it will work fine

mfinn · May 10, 2020

Black Cap Basslets are pretty cool fish and fairly peaceful. Good addition.
I'd skip the Blue Tang. Bad idea.

Leslie Tabor · May 10, 2020

Black cap yes...Blue Tang no...they need a really BIG tank. And trust me, you DON'T want to try to catch him to rehome him. Watanabei Angel's are blue and pretty...I know they weren't on Finding Nemo though...Good luck with the kiddos!

Squidward · May 10, 2020

Blackcaps will usually hide when first introduced. They usually hide from a week or more until they finally come out. They're peaceful but I'm not sure if they can co-exist with a Royal Gramma. I did add another smaller BlackCap so I have 2. They hang around the same cave/rock and are peaceful towards each other. They're usually out in the open knowing that I'm the provider of their food.

mfinn · May 10, 2020

Squidward said:
Blackcaps will usually hide when first introduced. They usually hide from a week or more until they finally come out. They're peaceful but I'm not sure if they can co-exist with a Royal Gramma. I did add another smaller BlackCap so I have 2. They hang around the same cave/rock and are peaceful towards each other. They're usually out in the open knowing that I'm the provider of their food.

I added a pair of Black Caps to my 240 that had a long term resident Royal Gramma and they got along fine. No aggression by either.
They even hung out in the same rock formation.
Not sure if this was a exception or not.

Sosuke · May 10, 2020

I have one and all he does is build cave entrances for his home, no aggression or anything with other fish. You already read what people had to say about the tang but you could get a yellowtail damsel like nereefpat said.

Pntbll687 · May 10, 2020

Basslets are one of my favorite. We have a small swalls basslet that I wish was out more.

I say go for the basslet!!

And you can get a hippo tang, just get a small one, and re-home it when it grows too big for the tank.