Platinum White Gramma dejongi is Rare-Squared

The Biota Group is showing off an exceptional colour morph of the Golden Cuban Basslet, Gramma dejongi. Dejongi does itself resemble a gold colour morph of the Royal Gramma, with that glowing yellow body and contrasting magenta highlights on the pelvic fins, dorsal fin, and belly. But Biota’s Platinum White looks like the magenta has been painted over with Titanium White, with a net pattern on the scales on the belly.   

Because of the Cuban trade embargo, wild-collected Gramma dejongi aren’t sold within the US, but there is a loophole – captive-bred offspring are certainly legal and Biota is the only breeder that we know of right now. They are captive breeding pioneers – all their fish are aquacultured, and they export around the world too. 

“Only recently discovered in 2010, this species is similar in behaviour to its close cousin, the undisputedly awesome reef tank fish, the Royal Gramma Basslet,” Biota says on its website. “Incredibly hardy, easy to keep, outgoing, and a veritably peaceful, reef-safe citizen that can fit in nearly any size aquarium, the Gramma dejongi is as close to perfection as an aquarium fish can be.”

“Distinguished marine biologist and ornamental fish breeder Todd Gardner and his team produce these in the Biota North Carolina lab. This species produces a small number of offspring, so they are still quite rare despite being captive-bred. If you are looking for a stunning show fish with the confidence and low risk of a hardy, robust species, The Golden Cuban Basslet is for you.”

How rare is rare? 

Gramma dejongi is incredibly rare in the saltwater aquarium hobby, and we have only ever seen them once in the flesh, at DeJong Marinelife in Holland, after whom the fish is named. Tank-bred dejongi are even rarer, and the Platinum White, the Holy Grail amongst Basslets. Biota refers to it as “rare squared.”

Captive breeding has a habit of throwing up unusual colour aberrations – it’s how designer clownfish started, and we predict that Biota will not only produce more like this, they will become whiter. A mostly white or even pure white Platinum White Golden Cuban Basslet could be possible in the future. 

Price

The pictured fish is 1-1.5” in length, and its price converts to £562.61 on Biota’s American-based website. It would cost considerably more when shipped and passed through the UK’s livestock supply chain.  

More at https://shop.thebiotagroup.com/collections/basslets/products/platinum-cuban

All image credits Biota