The First Designer Basslet? Meet Biota’s “Platinum” Gramma dejongi

26 Nov, 2019

Named the Platinum Dejongi, captive-breeding has produced a variant of this rare species where the normally magenta markings on the fins are replaced with near-white coloration.

Captive-breeding has produced a variant of this rare species called a Platinum Dejongi. The normally magenta markings on the fins are replaced with near-white coloration.

via Biota Aquariums

After their debut at MACNA 2019, the first-ever white variants of Biota’s Dejongi Basslet are now being formally introduced to the aquarium trade. After patiently awaiting to ensure the unique coloration wasn’t a fluke, a consistently low-level occurrence of white-finned Gramma dejongi in Biota’s captive-bred offspring has allowed their introduction into the aquarium hobby.

The Cuban or Dejongi Basslet (Gramma dejongi) is already one of the rarest fish in the country, but the Platinum Dejongi, adorned with a bright white coloration instead of the deep purple we’re accustomed to seeing, is now available. These individuals are also among the largest Dejongi that Biota currently has available; most are over 3 inches long!

A "Platinum" or "white" form of Gramma dejongi swimming among its normally-colored siblings.

A “Platinum” or “white” form of Gramma dejongi swimming among its normally-colored siblings.

One more look at the unique white fin highlights that make the "Platinum" variant of the already rare Gramma dejongi.

One more look at the unique white fin highlights that make the “Platinum” variant of the already rare Gramma dejongi.

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Reef To Rainforest

Reef to Rainforest Media, LLC is the publisher of award-winning magazines and books in the fields of aquarium keeping, aquatics, and marine science. It is the English-language publisher of CORAL Magazine and is based in Shelburne, Vermont, USA.

2 Comments

  1. December 06, 2019

    On the Dejongi basslet what size tank and reef would be preferred?

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      December 10, 2019

      Given their similarity to the ubiquitous Royal Gramma relative (Gramma loreto) I think their care requirements are probably a mirror image of the sibling species. Depending on who you ask, while some folks might say a 10 gallon is fine for a single fish, most references put the minimum for a single in the range of 20-30 gallons.

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