Not furry, but we like them anyway.
Swissguard Basslet
Liopropoma rubre
Also called Peppermint bass, Peppermint basslet
From Western Atlantic, from southern Florida and the Bahamas to northern South America12
A friendly guide, not veterinary advice. For anything about your pet's health, ask your vet.
At a glance the quick version
Looks how to spot one
Slender, elongated basslet
A slim fish striped like a candy cane: a red to yellow-orange body with broad black stripes along the sides, plus dark spots on the rear dorsal fin, anal fin and tail, edged in pale blue.123
Personality what they are like
Shy and secretive at first, gradually becoming more visible once it trusts its surroundings. It is calm toward most fish but may see very small crustaceans as food.13
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Prefers to slip between caves and crevices rather than swim in open water.12
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Build plenty of caves and crevices into the rockwork so it feels secure, and offer meaty foods daily.32
Home where they are happiest
LiveAquaria lists a minimum of about 10 US gallons (38 L), with rockwork that offers deep crevices. Saltwater at about 22 to 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025.3
Food basics what goes in the bowl
Carnivore. Wild fish eat crustaceans and small fish; in the aquarium offer chopped marine fish and crustacean flesh, mysis and quality frozen foods.23
Company who they like around
A solitary species in the wild and usually kept singly. It mixes well with most peaceful reef fish.123
The story where it all began
Felipe Poey, a Cuban zoologist, described the species in 1861 from Cuba. It has since been bred in captivity and is prized by reef keepers for its striking stripes.2
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is common on reefs yet so secretive that divers rarely see it.1
- 2
It lives deep inside reef crevices and caves at around 3 to 45 metres.1
- 3
Its red, yellow and black stripes are often compared to a peppermint candy, which inspired one of its common names.2
- 4
It has been bred successfully in captivity.2
Recognised by the official bits
- IUCN Red List
- Least Concern (assessed 2012)1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Swissguard Basslet. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- FeedingSmall amounts once or twice a dayevery day
- Temperature checkevery day
- Salinity checkevery week
- Top-upTop up evaporation with fresh RO water, not salt waterevery day
- Water testevery week
- Water changeAbout 10 to 20% of the waterevery 2 weeks
- Glass cleanevery week
Owner questions the things everyone asks
How often should I feed my Swissguard Basslet?
Feed your Swissguard Basslet small amounts once or twice a day, every day. Furry Diary's starting plan suggests daily feeding to keep it healthy and happy. Offer just enough that it eats in a couple of minutes.32 Furry Diary plan
What does a Swissguard Basslet eat, and what should it never eat?
This carnivore loves meaty foods like chopped marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysis, and quality frozen foods. For foods it should never eat, it's best to ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet, as individual needs can vary.32
How much space does a Swissguard Basslet need?
A minimum of about 10 US gallons (38 litres) is recommended, with plenty of rockwork that offers deep caves and crevices. This gives your shy fish the hiding spots it needs to feel secure.3
What temperature, light or water does a Swissguard Basslet need?
Keep the saltwater at 22 to 26 °C (72 to 78 °F), pH 8.1 to 8.4, dKH 8 to 12, and specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025. Furry Diary's plan includes daily temperature checks, weekly salinity checks, and topping up evaporation with fresh RO water.3 Furry Diary plan
How often should I clean a Swissguard Basslet's home?
Furry Diary's plan suggests cleaning the glass weekly, testing the water weekly, and changing 10 to 20% of the water every two weeks. Regular maintenance keeps the water quality stable for your basslet. Furry Diary plan
Can a Swissguard Basslet live with others?
It is a solitary species in the wild and is usually kept singly, but it mixes well with most peaceful reef fish. Avoid very small crustaceans as it may see them as food.132
How long does a Swissguard Basslet live?
Lifespan varies depending on care and environment. For a reliable estimate, ask a good breeder or an exotic-pet vet who knows this species well.
Can I handle a Swissguard Basslet?
This shy, secretive fish prefers to hide and is not suited for handling. Handling can cause stress, so it's best to admire it from outside the tank. For specific advice, consult a vet.13
Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Furry Diary's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FishBase: Liopropoma rubre summary fishbase.seused for origin, size, habitat, colour, behaviour, IUCN
- Wikipedia: Liopropoma rubre en.wikipedia.orgused for history, diet, colour, captive breeding
- LiveAquaria: Swissguard Basslet liveaquaria.comused for care, water parameters, tank size, diet, temperament
- VCA Animal Hospitals: Feeding times and frequency for your dog vcahospitals.comused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Dog grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: Cat grooming tips aspca.orgused for owner questions
- ASPCA: People foods to avoid feeding your pets aspca.orgused for owner questions
- RSPCA: What to feed your rabbit rspca.org.ukused for owner questions
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.