HomeMarine aquarium fishBasslets, cardinalfish & hawkfishBrazilian basslet Brazilian basslet (Gramma brasiliensis) Scientific name: Gramma brasiliensis Sazima, Gasparini & Moura, 1998 The Brazilian basslet (Gramma brasiliensis) is a marine fish of the family Grammatidae. Native range: Southwest Atlantic, endemic to Brazil. BiologyFound over coral and rocky bottoms, on the mainland coast and on coastal as well as oceanic islands. May be solitary or in groups of up to 4 individuals in small caves and under ledges, often swimming upside down, oriented to the ceiling. Feeds by picking at planktonic organisms in the water column; observed occasionally cleaning other fishes, including the pomacentrid Chromis multilineata and the haemulid Haemulon plumieri.Source: FishBase, licensed CC BY-NC 4.0. Species factsScientific nameGramma brasiliensisFamilyGrammatidae (Basslets)OrderPerciformes (Perch-like fish)ClassActinopterygii (Ray-finned fishes)Maximum length6.6Depth range3–22 m (10–72 ft)EnvironmentMarine; reef-associated; depth range 3 - 22 mClimateTropicalDistributionSouthwest Atlantic: endemic to Brazil.Conservation status (IUCN)Not EvaluatedThreat to humansHarmlessUsesAquarium: commercial More basslets, cardinalfish & hawkfishBanggai cardinal fishPterapogon kauderniGoldenstriped soapfishGrammistes sexlineatusHoneycomb grouperEpinephelus merraLeopard coralgrouperPlectropomus leopardusRoyal grammaGramma loretoSpeckled blue grouperEpinephelus cyanopodusSee all basslets, cardinalfish & hawkfish SourcesTaxonomy, distribution and biology data: FishBase (Froese, R. and D. Pauly, eds.), licensed CC BY-NC 4.0.Last updated 27 September 2026