OK, that title was just too good to pass up. It seems only fitting that the aquaculture branch of De Jong Marinelife, which shares a namesake with Gramma dejongi, aka. The Cuban Basslet (among other names) had to breed this species at some point in time. How could they not?

By my count, this is just the second aquaculture concern to produce this species for the aquarium trade. It’s yet another example of aquaculture making rare fish more accessible to the home hobbyist, and as time progresses, they’ll likely become more affordable as well. Here is the official announcement from De Jong Aquaculture.

via De Jong Aquaculture

Our First Tank-Bred Gramma dejongi

We are proud to share an exciting milestone in our ongoing breeding efforts at De Jong Aquaculture: for the very first time, we have successfully bred Gramma dejongi—our signature species—right here in our own hatchery!

This vibrant reef fish, named after both its discoverer and our founder, Arie de Jong, has been bred before within the aquarium industry. However, this marks the first successful in-house breeding by our team—an achievement made possible through months of dedication, innovation, and expert care.

Gramma dejongi is renowned for its striking yellow coloration and peaceful nature, making it a favorite among reef enthusiasts worldwide.

There is still more growth to occur, but this juvenile Gramma dejongi now sports all the colors it will have as it grows to maturity.
There is still more growth to occur, but this juvenile Gramma dejongi now sports all the colors it will have as it grows to maturity.

This success not only reflects our commitment to sustainable aquaculture but also brings us one step closer to reducing pressure on wild populations while continuing to offer exceptional marine life to the hobbyist community.

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