Royal gramma acting aggressive

[80greeftank]

i just bought a royal gramma and clownfish and they are currently in quarantine in a 13.5 fluval evo. The royal gramma is nipping the clownfish is he goes near his side of tank. I know they are territorial (especially in a smaller tank) but worried he will continue to nip my other fish when he is moved into DT (80g). I’ve had problems with nipping fish and had to tank out Rock work and corals in order to get them out and don’t want to have that problem again. What should I do?

 

[Nigel35]

Royal gramma's once established in a tank claim an area as their territory in a cave or rock outcrop. Any fish that gets to close to its will be warded off. You might notice that the gramma opens its jaw very wide revealing its teeth and in your case nipping has occurred. This is very common and soon other fish will learn to avoid that area which the gramma has claimed. In the 80g you should not have any issues whatsoever.

 

[Unitylover]

dont be suprised if you find your gramma beaten up later on, clownfish are fighters!

 

[Unitylover]

A breeder box might fix it

 

[Kongar]

My gramma beat up my clowns for about a year. Now it's turning the other way around as the clowns are almost the same size. I think you'll be ok in the long run.

and my gramma beats up my inverts as well he's always knocking snails around - he's a jerk

 

[landlubber]

normal behavior ime too.
if you already don't have it would consider adding some pipe for the gramma to chill in while in qt and possibly a 2 piece eggcrate divider that is offset so they can't get to each other until the get to the display.

 

[Sharkbait19]

Gramma are pretty much harmless, all show.
I’d be worried about what the clown can do.

 

[Mr.OK]

My royal gamma is pretty chill and hides in caves, but i saw him few days nippy at my blue-green chromis out the blue. Mouth wide open and chasing it down. was odd to see as he never shows him self, but to get food.

 

[Tamberav]

i just bought a royal gramma and clownfish and they are currently in quarantine in a 13.5 fluval evo. The royal gramma is nipping the clownfish is he goes near his side of tank. I know they are territorial (especially in a smaller tank) but worried he will continue to nip my other fish when he is moved into DT (80g). I’ve had problems with nipping fish and had to tank out Rock work and corals in order to get them out and don’t want to have that problem again. What should I do?

I have one in an 80 and no issues. My clownfish are much worse.