Question for J, Liopropoma sel.   4/17/08
Hello,
I read in one of the FAQ response written by "J" that there is a possibility of locating a Liopropoma carmabi? Any contact info. for him would be appreciated. Thank you in advance,
Vince
<Mmm, we don't retain folks' email/contact info. unless they expressly request that it be posted. Liopropomas can be had from time to time (by happy collectors) through the larger wholesale businesses in the U.S.. I'd check directly (if you're in the trade) or indirectly if a consumer, through Quality Marine, Sea Dwelling Creatures, Underwater World... in the LA area. Bob Fenner>

Candy Basslet and Sunburst Anthias compatibility   5/22/07
Hi WWM Crew,
<Hello there>
I just added a very healthy Sunburst Anthias to my 55 gallon reef tank.
He ate on his first day in the tank and stays front and left of center a lot of the time.
<Interesting... this species, particularly when new, generally hides amongst rocks and caves>
My Candy Basslet, who was there about 3 months before him ,
<May well not be compatible in this small volume>
likes to have the run of the full tank, and when he enters the space that the Sunburst Anthias has claimed  (the Anthias was added to the tank on Friday, and today is only Monday), the Sunburst Anthias chases him away-- nothing terribly aggressive,
<Mmm, yes it is>
but the Anthias seems to have taken the upper hand in these confrontations. Of course, the slight 'aggression' or assertion only occurs because the Candy Basslet keeps invading the Anthias' space. So far the Anthias rarely ventures beyond his rather small territory.
<I suspect the unnaturally outgoing behavior of the Fathead Anthiine is resultant from the negative interaction of the Basslet... It would 'swim out of there' if it could...>
Is this likely to escalate, or are these types of fish more likely to get accustomed to each other and tolerate/ignore each other?
<A toss-up, but more likely that the Sunburst will perish directly, indirectly here>
They are evenly matched as far as size goes, both about 2" including their tails ( it is a very stout Candy Basslet). They are the largest fish in the tank, tied with a Green Mandarin.  The other fish are a Blue Gudgeon Dartfish, almost 3", a Helfrichi Firefish, about 1.75", a Yashia Goby, about 1.25",  a Catalina Goby
<Misplaced here... this is a coldwater animal>
and a Blue Neon Goby, each also almost 1.25".
  I would love to keep both the Sunburst Anthias and the Candy Basslet, but because the Candy Basslet cost ten times as much, economics dictate that he is my first concern. Is this small amount of assertion/aggression  (combined with possible reduction of territory) likely to stress the Basslet out if it continues, and do you think it will a) escalate b) go away c) remain as is?
<Too likely a) till the loss of the Fancy Bass>
As always, thanks for your expert advice,
Art
(Sorry I sent this three times, I forgot to fill in a subject)
<Mmm, shouldn't matter... but we do get/toss a couple of hundred "junk" mails per day... Our webmail server we leave almost filter-free to allow in all sorts of "foreign" writers/writing. I would remove the Sunburst Anthias myself. Bob Fenner>

Fishes not getting along... Pseudocheilinus and Liopropoma incomp.  - 05/22/2006
Hi
  I just recently added a mystery wrasses to my reef aquarium. All was fine for the first two days, but now the mystery wrasses is chasing my swales Swissguard basslet all around the tank.
<Mmm, yes... occupy a similar niche...>
I did my research before buying the wrasses and all the websites said they were compatible.
<A relative term to put this mildly, simply>
I don't want to lose either fish because they are both expensive, but the basslet keeps swimming right through my anemone to try and get away. I can see the anemone having a very tasty treat at my expense. Is there any way to make the two get along. I have had the basslet for about 8 months and he is probably twice as big as the wrasse. Can't we all just get along?
<Mmm... no plagiarizing please...>
There is also lots of overhangs, bolt holes, and rock levels for both fish. With the wrasse being the new edition you'd think the basslet would chase him out of the territory. HELP ME PLEASE!    
  Jessica
<It is possible that by temporarily isolating one of these two (not easy to catch... to put this mildly, simply...) and leaving in a perforated screw top container or a floating plastic colander in the system for a week or two, that such a change will be effected. Otherwise, I would be permanently separating these. Bob Fenner>

- Looking for a Liopropoma carmabi -
Hi Gang,
Hoping you can help me out here with all of your connections. I'm looking for a Liopropoma carmabi, and can't find one anywhere. Not even Marine Center thinks they can get one. Have any of you seen an e-tailer offering this fish? <No... but I know where they can be found from time to time... very rare, caught in very small numbers, and very expensive.> I can't imagine it is that much harder to get than L. rubre, but I've been known to be wrong before. <I'm amazed that L. rubre is ever caught, very secretive and suspicious fishes these little basses. Even so... they can be found from time to time. If you want, call me on east coast time and we can discuss the possibilities.>
Thanks.
<Cheers, J -- >

- Liopropoma swalesi -
<Greetings, JasonC here...>
I recently received a very rare (Marine Center, of course) swalesi, and I've had a few problems. With a fish of this nature, I don't want to take any chances, and no one knows too much about it. <Ask around about the Swiss Guard [Liopropoma rubre], it is a cousin and more common in the pet-fish trade... very similar looking too.> I had it in my 75 reef with about 80lbs of live rock and I never saw it. <That is the way with these fish... it's even more amazing that they get caught for the trade. They are incredibly shy and secretive and even harder to spot, even when you want to. I looked for a rubre for a week in Cozumel and never saw one.> After a couple of days, I tried frozen Mysis shrimp, and it ate about 3 or 4 and was gone again. I recently set up a refugium, and due to space, set it up as a separate 15 gallon tank. It really has 20 gallon dimensions except for height (24" x 12"). I put it into the refugium, which has enough live rock, and he has eaten Mysis shrimp again after a few hours from net trauma. I guess my question after my life history is what else will it eat? <Other meaty foods...> I hate to just feed it Mysis shrimp. <Let me assure you, this is much better than 'just' brine shrimp.> If it doesn't come floating by slowly, he won't go after it. <Give it some time... they are very cautious, and it will probably be a month or more before it feels comfortable in its new surrounds.> Therefore, chopped anything isn't an option. I even tried the ultimate food, Hikari Marine-A soaked in Selcon. No fish on earth can resist, or so I thought. What next? <Be patient... Mysis shrimp is a good food and as long as it eats, that's better than nothing. Cheers, J -- >

Liopropoma sp. (Swissguard Basslet)
Hello all,
<Cheers, friend>
I was interested in adding a Swiss Guard to my reef tank, (though a hefty price when available) but I haven't been able to find a wealth of information on them. Do you know if these fishes are reef compatible and are they a hardy fish? 
<I have had the great pleasure of keeping this fish in reef and fish only aquariums. They are quite hardy but shy like most Basslets. A plankton based diet will keep them just fine (mysids, Pacifica plankton... no brine shrimp). They are compatible with most anything that wont eat them!>
I am also curious to know if they require a certain size tank for optimum success, as does the Mandarin fish?
<indeed they are not so critical on a specific plankton (copepods) in great quantity from larger tanks. Several small feedings daily with a nice variety of fine sized meats of oceanic origin will be just fine. There is some hope of this fish even spawning in captivity. Very slow acclimation to bright lighting may be necessary for this and all deepwater fishes. Subdued light would be best.>
Thank you, Rob
<best regards, Anthony>
rob cook