Orchid Dottyback vs Royal Gramma

[Zionas]

Which of these are less aggressive, and which in your opinion is the prettier fish with the better personality? Thanks.

 

[Cthulukelele]

I personally like grammas better since they have more colors, but that's Def personal preference. Dottybacks arguably have more interesting personalities than basslets like the royal gramma, but I'm always leery with dottybacks as they get older as dottybacks are notoriously mean as terminal adults (though the orchid dottyback is typically the nicest dottyback in the hobby). It's all about the colors you like and risk mitigation. If you like the orchid more and want to onboard the mild risk of aggression, go for it. They're certainly the nicest dottybacks we regularly keep and an excellent addition most of the time.

 

[Jeffbear]

Having an Orchid Dottyback, I can say that it depends on the individual and how long if at all they have been kept alone. Mine was the first fish in the tank and was a absolute jerk with other fish were added. I have since isolated him to a nice 9 gallon macroalgae tank where he is living his best life pestering the hermit crabs and frolicking among the leaves.
I have a Royal gramma on order, I'll let you know how that goes in a couple of weeks lol

 

[albano]

Royal gramma has been on my ‘must have’ lists, since 1973! Don’t think that I’ve ever been without at least one!

 

[Cthulukelele]

Royal gramma has been on my ‘must have’ lists, since 1973! Don’t think that I’ve ever been without at least one!

I avoided them out of feeling they were "too popular and prevalent" for a long time, but now that I have one I could never go back. Their colors pop from a mile away, they have a different movement pattern than most other fish, have unique cave burrowing behaviors, and are generally able to assert themselves as to not be bullied while still rarely being bullying aggressors

 

[danenelsen]

Having kept both, my preference is the Royal Gramma. Much more active and friendly!

 

[PatW]

I have had one dottyback. It was not aggressive in a 300 gallon tank with tangs. But I thought it would be aggressive in a smaller tank. It tended to only come out at feeding time but it was happy to get in the feeding scrum. I have had a royal gramma and they are quite peaceful.

 

[Narideth]

I've only kept Royal Gramma myself, but I have been incredibly pleased with the results. Smallish tank with two clowns, and this guy is always out, zipping around, and it's really fun to watch him scamper into his mossy little cave and then peek out again after a few seconds. I was going for lowest level of aggression, and even with blue dominant lighting, his colors still pop pretty well. The orchid dottyback's color is astounding for sure, but I am glad I went with the gramma.

 

[jtf74]

A gramma gets my vote for color and less aggressive

 

[findingsimple]

My partner brought home a dottyback - day 1 it was an ****** and when we tried to remove to save other fish it swam into the weir never to be seen again ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[ryanjohn1]

I wish I never put an orchid dottyback in my tank. He’s a bully. But color is amazing

 

[Sebastiancrab]

I have a royal gramma and he is definitely king of the tank but it is only to guard his home with newcomers. After that, peace reigns even with a sapphire damsel in the tank. I have read mostly bad reviews of dottybacks on R2R.

 

[Zionas]

It seems as the majority of people prefer the Gramma over the Dottyback both color and temperament wise. I am now leaning towards a Gramma.

 

[RabidDragon]

I have had both in my tank from the beginning. The orchid killed a firefish while in the quarantine tank together. It hasn’t been a problem since placing it in the display tank.

The gamma tends to stay and protect its little area while the orchid tends migrates around more, they stay on opposite sides of the tank.

Both are willing to defend themselves with other fish.

Fish currently in the tank:

Purple Tang​

Tomini Tang​

Power Blue Tang​

Lawnmower Blenny​

Orchid DottyBack, killed a firefish​

Royal Gamma​

Blue chromis​

Green chromis​

Pair of ocellaris clowns, normally guarding a patch of eggs​

Banggai cardinal fish​

Redfin fair wrasse: killed an anthias, attacked it the instant it was added​

Male/female lyretail Anthias​

Sapphire Damselfish​

2 firefish​