Calling royal gramma owners!

[Nem0]

Thinking of getting a royal gramma and upgrading to a 24g AIO. I don't have much room (college student) and cannot get a huge tank. Currently have a clown, 1.5in and a firefish 2in. Looking for an active swimmer because the firefish really hides. Research and forum posts have told me some grammas are active while others are not.

Anyone here have a gramma that is either/or can suggest some light on other active and colorful fish?

 

[Scotty Buttons]

Mine hid in the rocks for the first week or so after I got it. Now it does show it's self during the day but isn't much of a swimmer it kind of stays in the same area thru out the day. But it's a pretty fish and I do reccomend it.

 

[NinnJinn]

I have had mine for about 6 months now. with the lights on there's only been 2 or 3 times that I've looked at my tank and didn't see it staring at me or casually swimming around. Granted it is not swimming all over creation like a Tang would but it's always out and about.


And mine seems to be very photogenic and likes to do photobombs.

 

[Nem0]

do yall think size of tank correlates with activeness?

 

[Scotty Buttons]

I don't think so, there just not super active swimmers.

 

[Hillbillyreefer]

Mine is in a 120, it disappeared for a few days after introduction, concern for his wellbeing was starting to increase and then he reappeared. He claimed a spot over a particular rock and hasn’t moved much more than 8” around it in about a month. It’s always out, visible, eating well(anything I put in). This is my second one, and was near the top of the list for must have fish in this tank.

 

[Nem0]

Mine is in a 120, it disappeared for a few days after introduction, concern for his wellbeing was starting to increase and then he reappeared. He claimed a spot over a particular rock and hasn’t moved much more than 8” around it in about a month. It’s always out, visible, eating well(anything I put in). This is my second one, and was near the top of the list for must have fish in this tank.

good to know! don't really need an active swimmer, looking for a fish that will chill and just not hide 3/4s of the day!

 

[jsvand5]

I have one in my 210g with a bunch of tangs and active fish. It’s always out and swimming but honestly I rarely notice it being in the tank. Just doesn’t really stand out for some reason. Still a nice looking fish. I may try to pair it up soon to hopefully bring out some more interesting behavior.

 

[Hemmdog]

Look into geometric Pygmy hawkfish if your looking for something unique.

 

[clown99]

My royal gramma hid for 3 days. He likes to dive into the rock crevices. I used to have a six-line wrasse that harrassed him by preventing him from going to the shadows because the wrasse swims everywhere. The other tank inhabitants, gobies, clowns, even snails and hermit crabs, were also stressed out by the wrasse, whenever I don't feed him enough.
After I gave the wrasse away, the neighborhood is more peaceful. Especially the royal gramma, he now leisurely swims in and out of the shadows. For some reason, he never goes to the other half of the tank, even though it is only a 29G tank. Very beautiful fish. A must have for any reef tank, IMO.

 

[chizer]

It may pick on your firefish. They aren't super active but mine have always been territorial in bigger tanks

 

[Viking_Reefing]

If you have a overhang or something like that in your scape it will claim that spot and rarely move to far away from it.
Great fish! Get one!

 

[TRIGGER SHARKFIST]

Mine was very shy for a few weeks but all of a sudden became really brave.

He doesn't take any stick from even my big tangs, Foxface and even a Dragon Wrasse.


Thing is even though they are small I suspect they need decent amount of room to flourish.
Mine is territorial in a 5ft tank (but not over aggressive) Seems they like a decent amount of there own space.

Mine was a small example but has trebled in size in 6 months ( 3 inches long)
He has a impressively big mouth when he yawns.

He doesn't swim around in open water all the time but constantly moving from point to point.

Great fish ..

 

[Nem0]

thank you all for the answers! looks like my new fish will be a royal gramma

 

[Alberta79]

I have a Royal Gramma in my reefer 350. He usually hangs out in or around his spot all day. After feeding he swims around for a bit to check things out. He would do fine in a nano tank. imo.

 

[JacquieBeginnerReef]

You’ve had lots of comments already. They are funny. Mine is feisty - but not a bully. She darts very quickly when feeding, and is fairly active in the day, but does have her holes in the rocks she retreats to often. The best is when they open their mouths really wide to scare the other fish - as apparently they think it makes them look scary. The other fish don’t mind it tho.

 

[Bthomas]

I have one that u wouldn't even know was in my tank.. He never comes out of this one rock. Usually stays completely hidden but occasionally you will see a little purple head poke out

 

[JAM-MAN]

On reefs in the Caribbean, I've seen them hanging about the same spot, often upside down under ledges. They seem to be relatively calm, adventitious predators. Beautiful fish!

 

[Bthomas]

On reefs in the Caribbean, I've seen them hanging about the same spot, often upside down under ledges. They seem to be relatively calm, adventitious predators. Beautiful fish!

This is what mine does, hangs upside down from under a rock. But it never comes out. It goes up inside the rock or just has its head poking out. I never even see it eat.. Not sure how it's still alive lol

 

[cracker]

I named mine Grumpy . He just hung out in or very close to his cave. Real protective of his turf. On a side note. There is a reason the firefish hides all the time. You think The clown considers the tank all his?