An unusual painted basslet is being offered for sale by an aquarium store in the UK. The Many Lined Basslet, Liopropoma multilineatum inhabits rocky ledges and caves at depths between 18-50m in the Western Pacific. Also known as the Manyline Perch, Yellow Reef Basslet, or Multiline Basslet, L.multilineatum looks superficially similar to its congener L. tonstrinum in some pictures except the former has numerous red horizontal pinstripes (which give it its name,) and the latter, a more pronounced white lateral stripe.
The pictured fish is attractive enough with its pink/mauve body, red stripes and with purple around the eye, but it gets better still once settled, its body turning saffron yellow and its head red, and those red tail stripes intensifying too. It grows to a maximum size of 8cm, or just over 3”. Feed on Mysis, Krill, and live feeder shrimp.
There are 32 species in the genus Liopropoma, many of which are sought after by reef aquarium hobbyists. We love them here at Reef Builders, despite their secretive nature which means they are seldom seen once added to a reef tank. The Abyss has had its fair share of Basslet species too, keeping many in stock as well as unusual color morphs like the Hyper Yellow Swissguard we featured in 2022. L.multilineatum is rarely if ever imported into the UK so will appeal to British fish collectors as well as Liopropoma lovers, and trust us when we tell you that in the right low light, and when it’s in the right mood, that yellow will shine through.
The Abyss is offering it for £129.
See one swimming in its natural habitat in Cebu below:
