Blue Assessor

[edit] Overview

This Great Barrier Reef species is very hardy, has a unique color pattern and lives in caves. It is an outstanding choice for the peaceful reef aquarium.

The Yellow Assessor (Assessor flavissimus) is a similar species with identical traits and husbandry requirements.

[edit] Feeding

Carnivore. Feed meaty foods at least once a day, perhaps less frequently in a well-established, productive reef system with ample live feeding opportunities.

[edit] Aquarium Compatibility

Shy when first added to the tank, but will become quite bold in time. It will be seen swimming upside-down alone if a good cave or ledge is present in the tank. This species occurs singly or in pairs or small groups in the wild, and solitary individuals do fine on their own in an aquarium.

[edit] Breeding/Propagation

Mouthbrooders - demersal (on or near the bottom) spawners that protect their eggs and, in some cases, their fry, in the buccal cavity of one parent, in this case the male.

[edit] Notes

Although more than one can be kept in a larger system, in small tanks they will quarrel. If a pair or group is kept, acquire individuals of differing sizes. They are rarely aggressive toward other fishes, although they may dart at smaller fishes that invade their preferred hideouts. On the other hand, they are a likely target of more aggressive tankmates, especially the more belligerent dottybacks. The Yellow Assessor will not bother ornamental invertebrates.

Category: Species