Royal Gramma attacking fire shrimp

[Katmandu]

Hey everyone,

I have a 29g biocube that houses a few hermits, 2 small clowns, a royal gramma, a Bangaii cardinal and a fire shrimp.

The royal gramma was the first fish I added to the tank. (I know now that was a mistake)

I added the fire shrimp into the tank about three weeks ago and he has done wonders for the cleanliness of my tank.

I went on vacation last week and had a friend feed my fish while I was gone.

When I returned, I found the fire shrimp in the back chamber in pretty bad shape. He is now almost constantly “bent over” and is missing one of his antennae. Ever since I reintroduced him into the tank, the gramma is almost constantly attacking him. Twice now I’ve found him on his back with his legs curled up. I’ll bring the net down and he’ll latch on and let me place him somewhere else. Then acts as if nothing is wrong...

Have you guys had any luck with grammas and fire shrimp? My LFS offered a full refund on the gramma, but catching him has been next to impossible so far.

I am now feeding my fish twice a day instead of one a day... in hopes some of the aggression may be feeding schedule related.

Do you think they will eventually work it out? Or should I try to get the gramma out ASAP.

Thanks!

 

[Tahoe61]

Most likely not going to work out.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Most likely not going to work out.

I second this. As for catching the gramma this is tricky. If it is a food hog like one of mine, it will swim into a net for food. If the tank is loaded some things may need to be put in a tub to catch it, but at least it is not a 75 or 90 gallon and trying to catch the little bugger.

 

[W1ngz]

If the fire shrimp is injured, or maybe 'bent over' indicates it got stuck part way through a moult? The fish can tell it's vulnerable and will pick on it, seeing it as food. Is there any other tank you can put it in?

I have a fire shrimp and a black cap basslet (virtually identical to a gramma aside coloration), and no one messes with the shrimp at all.

 

[Tahoe61]

Look for the Gramma's bolt hole. If you can remove only that piece.

You can also drain down the water and catch him that way.

 

[Katmandu]

Yeah this is my first tank, so there is no where else for the shrimp to go.

The second the net hits the water the gramma hides in her rock. I’m going to buy a bigger net and just let it sit in the aquarium for a while this evening... hopefully the gramma will get used to it and I’ll be able to get it out.

It’s a shame, she’s such a beautiful fish... just kind of an butt hole.

 

[Katmandu]

Look for the Gramma's bolt hole. If you can remove only that piece.

You can also drain down the water and catch him that way.

That’s exactly what I did. I filled a bucket with tank water and grabbed her favorite rock and she just came along with it.

So thanks for the advice on that!

Sadly the Fire shrimp didn’t make it. My LFS set me up with a coral branded shrimp and a yellow clown goby in exchange for the Gramma and placed her in one of their display tanks. She was chasing everything around so I suppose some things never change haha.

My tank has calmed down substantially and everyone seems pretty chill. Hopefully I’ve found the right balance now

 

[Michael Gray]

interesting as a royal from what ive read is suppose to be a wuss...... ihave a royal in QT with6 other fish... i hope he dont kill any fish in the 30 days before going into the 100g

 

[ZaneTer]

I have never seen a royal gramma be aggressive in any way. I have see false gramma that are absolute terrorist and are almost identical looking...

 

[W1ngz]

That one never occurred to me, though I almost made the same mistake once. I came home, had the fish in my quarantine tank and noticed there was no fade to the purple to yellow transition and no dorsal fin spot. The fish was mis-identified on the tank and I just assumed it was correct.

Took it back to the store.
Gramma on the left, bicolor dottyback on the right.

 

[Michael Gray]

That one never occurred to me, though I almost made the same mistake once. I came home, had the fish in my quarantine tank and noticed there was no fade to the purple to yellow transition and no spot. The fish was mis-identified on the tank and I just assumed it was correct.

Took it back to the store.
Gramma on the left, bicolor dottyback on the right.

im going straight home this morning and looking for the fade or dot.

 

[W1ngz]

The spot on the dorsal fin is possibly a less ambiguous trait.

 

[Michael Gray]

thefish were added yesterday to 20g QT. i did see my royal chase and nip one of the fish out of his way just once. nothing crazy. but now you got me wanting to get home asap to see what i got lol.

 

[Michael Gray]

So i just got home and I dont have a royal gramma! My orchid dottyback already has a torn fin. Should I get rid of this thing or u think once in the 100gallon should be good??

 

[W1ngz]

Pictichromis paccagnellae and Pseudochromis fridmani - Compatibi

Pictichromis paccagnellae) and Pseudochromis fridmani) compatibility. The Marine Compatibility Guide has been designed to help you choose marine fish based on y

www.marinecompatibilityguide.com

 

[Michael Gray]

Pictichromis paccagnellae and Pseudochromis fridmani - Compatibi

Pictichromis paccagnellae) and Pseudochromis fridmani) compatibility. The Marine Compatibility Guide has been designed to help you choose marine fish based on y

www.marinecompatibilityguide.com

Oh ya hes gone. I like the orchid waay more.

 

[RomoFL]

Wow I would also have a good talk with the LFS who sold it to you.