How many Gramma can you keep in one group?

[ThRoewer]

I moved my Gramma trio from the sump tank to the 100 gallon tank. Friday night I finally managed to trap the last female and moved her up.

But 3 seem not enough for this tank for them to feel comfortable (and to dissipate the harassment from Starcki Damsel) so I'm considering to add another 3.

Too many?

Has anybody here tried a larger group than 3?

 

[ThRoewer]

oops, posted this in the wrong forum section :headwalls:

 

[ThRoewer]

Seems a mod has fixed that - thanks!

 

[Achilles Torben]

Hi
Introduced 10 in my 5.500 liter tank. Few weeks later 3 service. In this time no chromis no damsels. Somebody in a smaller tank told me he have 10 gramma and 10 fridmani without problems. I pick up 10 tank raised fridmani same like Gramma. 3 till 5 survive. Introduced together with Gramma

Grüße Torben

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[ThRoewer]

So you added 10 and only 3 survive? Did you quarantine them?

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[Moort82]

I've read a few threads on this subject (I believe on here) over the years and maintaining a group of any number (believe the most was 7 or something like that, so maybe that is the problem) long term seems problematic. I'm sure numbers dwindled quite quickly but you might find more with a quick search.

 

[Apercula]

Michael Hoaster has a thread in the marine plants forum about his 180g Caribbean planted tank http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2391470 , I believe he has about 8 grammas in it.

 

[Grkgod36]

What I have found is that for like a harem to be successful you have to add them all at the same time .
I'm not sure if the new fish you will get along with established ones

I added mine all together along with a black cap basslet and they are doing well. And even all hang out together .

 

[zooman72]

I have had my six in a 40B for several years, and just moved to my 50g cube after a house move, with continued "peace" now after a month - they are only in currently with a pair of cherub dwarf angels (that I have also had for a few years now).

The key I have found after three successful "harem" constructions over the years is to start with smaller grammas, and introducing them in groups seems to be easier. I have introduced grammas to existing groups without issue, as long as there is room (and enough "bolt holes"), and the new grammas are smaller than the current residents.

I believe in a tank your size that you could keep another 5 without issue as long as they were smaller than the current trio.

 

[OrionN]

I don't think then number is important. I have had 7 or so in my 450 gal tank. If I want to add more, it would have been fine. I think the ratio in the wild is 8-10 female per male. I read this in the past but not able to confirm it with any reliability. I have added more small RG to a group without problem.

 

[ThRoewer]

Well, I'm going to give it a try.
The biggest issue is the quarantine period and preventing one to become a dominant male.

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[OrionN]

The only way is Quarantine 4 and return the male to the LFS and add the 3 females. I am pretty sure after 1 week we have sex change. For sure after 2 weeks

 

[ThRoewer]

That, or keep a pair for breeding in a separate tank

 

[zooman72]

If you got really small ones, I would not think they would "turn" that quickly - at least mine never seemed to...

 

[ThRoewer]

Well, I decided to rather add for now 3 ORA Yellow Assessors (LA just got them in).
I may still add more Grammas later...