Arrowhead Basslet

Belonoperca chabanaudi

Saltwater Fish Species Group: Basslets Family: Serranidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Arrowhead Basslet

General information

The Arrowhead Basslet is a small saltwater fish that can reach up to 5 inches in length. They are primarily found in the Caribbean Sea and can be kept in home aquariums. This species prefers live rock and plenty of hiding spots, as well as a sand substrate. The Arrowhead Basslet is a peaceful species and can be kept with other small, non-aggressive fish.

Diet & nutrition

In the wild, the Arrowhead Basslet feeds on a variety of small crustaceans and other invertebrates. In captivity, they can be fed a diet of frozen or live meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and chopped krill. It is important to vary their diet to ensure they receive all the necessary nutrients.

Determining sex

It is difficult to determine the sex of the Arrowhead Basslet without close examination, as there are no external differences between males and females.

Breeding & spawning

Breeding the Arrowhead Basslet in captivity is rare, and there is little information available on their breeding habits.

Diseases

The Arrowhead Basslet is generally hardy and not prone to many diseases if kept in a properly maintained aquarium. However, they can be susceptible to common saltwater diseases such as marine ich and velvet.

Origination

The Arrowhead Basslet is native to the Caribbean Sea, where it can be found in rocky and coral reef environments.

Cautions

The Arrowhead Basslet is not known to be aggressive but some species may become aggressive towards the Arrowhead Basslet.

Acclimation process

When adding the Arrowhead Basslet to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to avoid shock. This can be done by floating the bag in the aquarium for 15-20 minutes to allow the water temperature to equalize, then slowly adding small amounts of aquarium water to the bag over the course of an hour or more.

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