I've lost 3 royal grammas in 3 months

[Rikerbear]

I've lost 3 royal gramma in as many months. One to ich, one to my murderous emerald crab, and the last one just disappeared (completely closed tank) 1 week after being introduced.....he was even eating some chopped clam and frozen mysis
The first 2 were in my nano, the last was in a separate tank...and all of them from different suppliers.
I've had grammas in the past with no issues. I am really wondering if I am jinxed or if I dare tempt the fates and try one last time.
I dearly love the look of a gramma in my tank....I just don't want to kill any more of them UGH

 

[revhtree Verified Admin]

Do your other fish have ich?

 

[o2manyfish]

Grammas are pretty hardy fish in general. Sounds like you just had some bad luck.

Dave B

 

[Bubbles_B]

i lost two in two months. develop some sort of skin rash/disease

 

[Rikerbear]

It's very odd indeed.
The first one I lost to ich (I assume), broke out with a few spots after being in the reef tank for 3 days. I treated him for over a week with vitamins and garlic infused foods....after about 4 days the spots were gone, but the fish died 2 days later. The only other fish in the tank was and still is a yellow watchman goby who has never been sick at all
I waited several weeks before trying again. The second fish either died and was eaten by my mean as spit emerald crab.....now I don't know if the crab killed the fish while it slept, or if it died and than was eaten. However I did see the crab rip a cleaner shrimp in two for no apparent reason.
The third fish went in to a completely different tank with no crabs, no aggressive fish and seemed to be doing fine. Had his hiding spots, was eating brine shrimp, frozen mysis, and minced clam, but only lasted 4 days and than just disappeared.

 

[Rikerbear]

Well I spent a good 2 hours at the LFS on Wednesday watching their 3 grammas......I ruled one out quickly as he had a torn dorsal.
They other two seemed very active and engaging with their tanks mates. The sales woman fed them some pellets for me and both ate.
I decided to take the largest of the two.
He was VERY aggressive in the bag on the way home....digging HARD into the corner of the bag. When I got him home, I cut the bag open to pour everything into my acclimation container.....he jumped out of the bag and landed luckily into the acclimation container (sadly it had no water in it), I quickly poured the water in and got the cover on fast. For the next hour he jumped and bumped and made all kinds of racket. I have never seen a royal gramma with so much energy LOL
After an hour the temp, ph, and salinity all matched up and I released him into the semi dark tank. He settled right in to a great cave right up front, and has been out and about all over the tank. He is mildly defending his cave from the yellow tang when she swims to close. He is eating mysis, pellets, and picking at pods now and again.
Hopefully the fourth one is the charm for me. I named this one Laki which is Hawaiian for Lucky :hippie:

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Sounds like you got a feisty one!! Good luck!!

 

[xbrentx]

I have lost 2 grammas in the last 6 weeks. I love the colors but am ready to give up on this fish...

 

[Mr. E Wrasse]

Yeah, I'm with o2manyfish. Ivw found grammas to be one of the best and hardiest fish. Also only about 12 $ where I am Do you have a chiller and if not what is your temp usuallly at? It may sound weird since grammas are found in the tropics but they favor cold water. Whenever I see them diving they are in 60-70ft of water and about 74 degrees.

 

[Rikerbear]

Sounds like you got a feisty one!! Good luck!!

Gosh I hope so....I feel so bad about having killed so many of them in such a short period of time.
Laki is sure doing great so far

 

[Rikerbear]

I have lost 2 grammas in the last 6 weeks. I love the colors but am ready to give up on this fish...

I sure understand that feeling. I have decided that for me, if this fourth fish doesn't make it I will stop trying to keep a gramma.
Kept one for 3 years back in the 90's and loved it.....he went with the tank when I sold it off and lived another 4 years after that, so I know I can do it

 

[Rikerbear]

Yeah, I'm with o2manyfish. Ivw found grammas to be one of the best and hardiest fish. Also only about 12 $ where I am Do you have a chiller and if not what is your temp usuallly at? It may sound weird since grammas are found in the tropics but they favor cold water. Whenever I see them diving they are in 60-70ft of water and about 74 degrees.

I keep the fowlr at about 76 and the reef at 78, so maybe that will help some too

 

[WillKatt]

Sounds like you are naming them too soon. Lol

Im my experience naming a fish means certain doom for said fish. I kid of course. Good luck with this one!


But seriously no naming


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[Rikerbear]

Sounds like you are naming them too soon. Lol

Im my experience naming a fish means certain doom for said fish. I kid of course. Good luck with this one!


But seriously no naming

LOL Yeah, I thought about that too. I was sure I was signing his death cert by naming him 'lucky' (Laki) :tongue: