New Royal Gramma hanging out vertically on back wall. Is this normal?

[glb]

I just got William the Royal Gramma today. I acclimated him properly and put him in the tank. He's gone to a spot in the back of the tank and hasn't really moved. His fins aren't clamped and he seems ok, but just wanted to check in. Here's a pic:

 

[mtfish]

Normal behavior. One of my favorite fish and not too expensive.

 

[Robink]

Yes, normal. Once he's comfortable he'll find a cave.

 

[Katrina71]

Pretty little guy

 

[glb]

He really is pretty. He's moving around a little now.

 

[saltyhog]

Perfectly normal. When we see them diving they will orient to what ever structure they are near. Many times they are vertical and sometimes even upside down.

 

[glb]

Do they swim around at all?

 

[Mikedawg]

Do they swim around at all?

 

[glb]

That is really cool!

 

[Jimmyneptune]

normal behavior for theses guys.

 

[glb]

He hasn't eaten yet. I tried to target feed him this morning but he got scared and swam away. He was fed at the LFS yesterday so I'm not too worried.

 

[saltyhog]

Those don't look or act like Royal Gramma. I thought they were strictly a Caribbean species?

 

[Katrina71]

Any new pics?

 

[Mikedawg]

Those don't look or act like Royal Gramma. I thought they were strictly a Caribbean species?

Yep, my bad. I'm a diver also and never saw RGs in a habitat like this one and my understanding is that their range is limited to Tropical Western Atlantic. And for that matter I don't believe they are particularly good swimmers and I've always seen them stay close to their cave, outcropping, etc.

Guess I better give up two "likes" ha ha and next time I'll look at YouTube videos more carefully. Sorry glb!

 

[JSchwarz]

Those are definately not royal grammas in the video.

Mine would sit vertically in my sponge filter in my quarantine tank. There were slots that he fit in perfectly and he wasn't interested in hiding in PVC elbows.

I would make sure he has some sort of cave to hide in. It seems to be important for them. Mine found his cave in my DT that he can goes back to whenever he gets spooked, but 90 percent of the time he is out and about. I think sometimes they actually hide more and are stressed when they don't feel they have a safe place.

 

[saltyhog]

The one I kept was very outgoing. He stayed close to his cave but was almost always visible. He did compete pretty well with all of my wrasses.

Don't sweat it Mikedawg, if you've got to dive in that kind of habitat you're way ahead of me! Strictly the Caribbean other than 20 dives on The Big Island in Hawaii.

 

[Mikedawg]

The one I kept was very outgoing. He stayed close to his cave but was almost always visible. He did compete pretty well with all of my wrasses.

Don't sweat it Mikedawg, if you've got to dive in that kind of habitat you're way ahead of me! Strictly the Caribbean other than 20 dives on The Big Island in Hawaii.

Thanks. Turks and Caicos..................paradise

 

[jwshiver]

Mine routinely hangs upside down under "his" ledge. He doesn't like to share that spot. If he didn't hang upside down I would think something is wrong with him. Totally normal behavior for these beautiful little fish.

 

[BlennyKravitz]

Yup. He and my yellow assessor do this. That's what basslets do. Mine is often upside down too. Love those guys.

 

[enthejungle]

I had the same issue with one I just picked up last week. After the 2nd or 3rd day he was out and about.