The Caribbean is filled with tons of cool little basslets which are mostly limited to deeper waters, especially in the Serranus genus. The Snow Basslet and Tattler’s basslet have both already had their turn in the spotlight but this new picture and video from B-Box Aquarium brings some much needed attention to the unusual and streamlined Crosshatch bass.
We are absolutely in love with the long tapering tail and really aggressive looking face coupled with subtle blue stripes and dark bands, all of which greatly remind us of the Pacific arrowhead soapfish species, Belonoperca pylei and B. chabanaudi.
In this clear and closeup video, you can easily see what makes the crosshatch basslet unique with a body shape that is reminiscent of the closely related Harlequin basslet, and a pattern and high dorsal fin that is more like Tattler’s basslet. Although the crosshatch basslet may not have standout coloration, the slender build and alert eyes of this fish gives a sense that this fish would make more of a pet than your average ornamental aquarium fish.
It’s a shame that the Crosshatch basslet and so many other unusual rare reef fish from neighboring waters all fly over a million American reef aquarists on their way to Japan, but hopefully in time US reefers will cultivate more appreciation for rare reef fish besides angelfish and wrasses.
