Clownfish and Royal Gamma

[JackDemetriou]

Clowns first. Keep in mind, you have chose two species which will become territorial, the clowns when paired. This is going to limit what you can add long term. The clowns will be fine for a while until they become adult breeders, then they'll own a quarter or third of a 40 gallon tank and the gamma will own another quarter. Just something to consider if you intend on having more fish. All generally speaking of course.

For a 40 breeder I would probably pass on the gamma so I could add a number of nano fish and have a more diverse interesting display.

I am going to pass on getting the Royal Gamma. Thanks for the info. I am still getting the pair of clownfish. What other fish do you recommend to have along with the clowns in a 40-gallon tank?

 

[hllb]

I think as this is my first time in the marine/reef world, I might stay away from this fish as a beginner

Most royal grammas are pretty docile. They are beautiful and easy to keep. If you’re concerned about getting a mean one, just make it the last fish in.

 

[hllb]

Other fish for your tank:
Midas blenny
Clown goby
Tailspot blenny (probably only 1 blenny per tank)
Pygmy angel (could also get aggressive, so should be one of the last fish)
Chalk basslet
Long nose hawkfish
Firefish

 

[hllb]

Do not mistake the royal gramma for royal dottyback (who is mean)

Fun graphic shows difference between a royal gramma and a royal dottyback | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

In the world of tropical reef fish, there are numerous examples of convergent evolution, where unrelated and widely separated fish develop the same color and shape. The similarity between some cases…

reefbuilders.com

 

[Streetlamp]

I also have a circa 40 gal. My first 2 fish were clowns I then added a gramma with no issues. Since then have added a tail spot and neon goby. The gramma has been a jerk to both new additions and has not eased off and now is starting to turn on the clowns. I’m seriously considering removing him. Everyone else gets one fine

 

[hllb]

I also have a circa 40 gal. My first 2 fish were clowns I then added a gramma with no issues. Since then have added a tail spot and neon goby. The gramma has been a jerk to both new additions and has not eased off and now is starting to turn on the clowns. I’m seriously considering removing him. Everyone else gets one fine

Have you tried putting a mirror up to the tank? Some claim that helps. Mine has taken to picking up hermits and snails and throwing them down to the sand. He needs anger management LOL.

 

[Streetlamp]

Have you tried putting a mirror up to the tank? Some claim that helps. Mine has taken to picking up hermits and snails and throwing them down to the sand. He needs anger management LOL.

Mine too he pulled one of my hermits off the rock and dropped him on the ground.

 

[hllb]

Mine too he pulled one of my hermits off the rock and dropped him on the ground.

Ours must be brothers LOL

 

[Gogi]

My Royal Gramma is super peaceful towards all fish. Old and newly added. It does defend its hiding place when near it, but it's very active and never really in its hidey hole during the day.

 

[jd371]

I have 2 Clowns,RG, Purple Firefish and Rainford Goby in my 20g anemone tank and they all get along. The only time the RG gets annoyed and does the open mouth “get off my lawn” thing is when the Firefish gets too close to his cave.

 

[Sofishtication]

The Royal Gramma was the reason I have always wanted a marine set up. They’re a great way to get some contrasting colour in to the tank without too much bioload, so needless to say once my tank had cycled suitably the first thing to go in was my Royal Gramma. He’s more than happy and very active all day, so he’s a great starter fish IME.

My cousin started with a royal gramma in his 13.5g fluval and it’s absolutely fine with his clowns and vice versa.

I will say however when I first popped a tiny regal tang in the gramma did try to have a go at it. Mouth fully open and a couple of nips. A month down the line and they swim around together and sometimes share the same cave so they’re certainly characters

 

[hllb]

The Royal Gramma was the reason I have always wanted a marine set up. They’re a great way to get some contrasting colour in to the tank without too much bioload, so needless to say once my tank had cycled suitably the first thing to go in was my Royal Gramma. He’s more than happy and very active all day, so he’s a great starter fish IME.

My cousin started with a royal gramma in his 13.5g fluval and it’s absolutely fine with his clowns and vice versa.

I will say however when I first popped a tiny regal tang in the gramma did try to have a go at it. Mouth fully open and a couple of nips. A month down the line and they swim around together and sometimes share the same cave so they’re certainly characters

I have never seen another fish do that mouth open thing, but it appears to be a RG method of inflicting fear LOL.

 

[huckjai]

I have never seen another fish do that mouth open thing, but it appears to be a RG method of inflicting fear LOL.

Haha. It scares me when it does it. Not a pretty thing to see from such a nice looking fish.

 

[Sofishtication]

I have never seen another fish do that mouth open thing, but it appears to be a RG method of inflicting fear LOL.

I was surprised, it didn’t seem to phase the tang though. He had no issues with the mandarin though ‍

 

[hllb]

I was surprised, it didn’t seem to phase the tang though. He had no issues with the mandarin though ‍♂

Mine was ok with my clown goby who went in at the same time as my Midas blenny. He hated Midas and bit him several times but didn’t do damage. He greatly disliked my Pygmy angel but I didn’t see him actually bite, just threaten. I’m a bit worried though because I really want to add a mccosker’s wrasse as my last fish and they can be delicate.

 

[rfgonzo]

I also have a circa 40 gal. My first 2 fish were clowns I then added a gramma with no issues. Since then have added a tail spot and neon goby. The gramma has been a jerk to both new additions and has not eased off and now is starting to turn on the clowns. I’m seriously considering removing him. Everyone else gets one fine

Not to be a Jerk, and just trying to help. But that doesn't seem like typical Royal Gramma behavior. Are you sure you have a RG? and not a Dottyback? Dottyback's are aggressive like that and look very similar to a gramma. They are also super aggressive when new fish are added. Does your fish have a black dott on the dorsal fin? If so this would be a RG. If no black dott, this would be a dottback. Kinda back a** word.

 

[SeaJay]

I have a pair of clowns which were in first, and then added a royal gramma. They do just fine together, Gramma spends a good majority of the day hiding in her rock hole, but never had any issues.

Same here.

 

[Streetlamp]

Not to be a Jerk, and just trying to help. But that doesn't seem like typical Royal Gramma behavior. Are you sure you have a RG? and not a Dottyback? Dottyback's are aggressive like that and look very similar to a gramma. They are also super aggressive when new fish are added. Does your fish have a black dott on the dorsal fin? If so this would be a RG. If no black dott, this would be a dottback. Kinda back a** word.

You're right to bring it up, but its 100% a gramma, dot on the dorsal and graduated colour change. I just think my guy has issues. Something had a go at his tail and he lost a good bit of it. It's been growing back over the last few weeks and back to 100% now. As he has recovered he has become more aggressive. I'm giving him a week to settle after recovery if he doesn't calm down he's gone.

 

[Sofishtication]

Not to be a Jerk, and just trying to help. But that doesn't seem like typical Royal Gramma behavior. Are you sure you have a RG? and not a Dottyback? Dottyback's are aggressive like that and look very similar to a gramma. They are also super aggressive when new fish are added. Does your fish have a black dott on the dorsal fin? If so this would be a RG. If no black dott, this would be a dottback. Kinda back a** word.

It’s not an unknown character trait. Grammas can be somewhat territorial and the “jaw drop” is fairly common with new inhabitants, especially with an established gramma. They do settle down though.