Swissguard basslet

The Swissguard basslet is a small, secretive marine fish in the family Liopropomatidae (a group of the sea basses), native to the Caribbean and western Atlantic. It has a striking pattern of alternating red-orange and yellow horizontal stripes along a pale body, with dark ocellated spots on the dorsal and tail fins. It is peaceful but extremely shy and reclusive, spending most of its time hidden deep within rockwork and emerging cautiously to feed. It is best kept singly or as a mated pair. A reef aquarium with abundant live rock, caves, and dim shaded retreats is essential to make this cryptic fish feel secure. It is a carnivore feeding on small crustaceans and zooplankton and can be slow to acclimate, often requiring live or enriched frozen foods initially. It is reef-safe and prized by keepers willing to accommodate its shy, cave-dwelling nature.