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Yellowcheek basslet (Gramma linki) — Grammatidae

Yellowcheek basslet

Gramma linki
Family: Grammatidae

The Yellowcheek basslet (Gramma linki) is a saltwater fish of the family Grammatidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
27.0–130.0 m
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The yellowcheek basslet is a small basslet (Grammatidae) from the western Atlantic and Caribbean. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a mostly lilac to bluish body with a yellow cheek and yellow tones towards the rear. As a secretive reef-dweller it lives in caves, crevices and under overhangs of deeper coral reefs, where it often hovers upside down along the wall, and picks small zooplankton. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellowcheek basslet?

The Yellowcheek basslet has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly pink-purple.

Where does the Yellowcheek basslet live?

The Yellowcheek basslet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica and others

How big does the Yellowcheek basslet get?

The Yellowcheek basslet grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Yellowcheek basslet dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellowcheek basslet is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Yellowcheek basslet edible?

Yes, the Yellowcheek basslet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Yellowcheek basslet (Gramma linki) — Grammatidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Daniel PINELLI, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellowcheek basslet (Gramma linki) — Grammatidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Thomas Menut, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellowcheek basslet sourced
Scientific name
Gramma linki
Family
Grammatidae
Other names
Yellowcheek basslet; Yellowlined Basslet; Yellowlined basslet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Pink / purple sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
27.0 verified
Max depth (m)
130.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Bahamas, Belize, Cayman Is., Cuba, Honduras, Jamaica and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Gramma

More from the family Grammatidae

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