Royal Gramma Question

[NewbyReefer]

So I know someone who has 5 royal grammas in one tank with no problems for almost a year now, so I wanted to do so as well. I already had one and I introduced another one today. The problem comes in that my original one suddenly got aggressive toward my dwarf angels. Nothing came of it except the angels are staying clear of a corner of the tank. My question is why would the originals personality change instantly? Also is it ok to house multiple grammas or is my buddy just getting lucky?

 

[michael_cb_125]

G. loreto is a very social fish. If you are ever fortunate to see a harem of these fish in the wild, the social interaction is amazing. The problem for most aquarists is that they simply do not have the correct setup for a group of these fish. I have a harem of six individuals in one of my systems and they have been doing extremely well for almost two years. In my experience you need the following to be successful with a group of these fish:

- Large tank. Mine are in a 120 gallon system. Please dont try to keep several grammas in a 30 gallon tank, they will kill each other.

-Rockwork. Grammas loves caves, overhangs and crevices.

-Simultaneous addition. Be sure to add them all at once, otherwise territories will be established and newly added fish will be bullied.

-Feeding. FEED your fish. Grammas are planktivores are feed from the water column almost constantly throughout the day.


Obviously there are exceptions to this and I am sure someone has fifty grammas in a 10 gallon tank, but in general the above is accurate.

~Michael

 

[NewbyReefer]

G. loreto is a very social fish. If you are ever fortunate to see a harem of these fish in the wild, the social interaction is amazing. The problem for most aquarists is that they simply do not have the correct setup for a group of these fish. I have a harem of six individuals in one of my systems and they have been doing extremely well for almost two years. In my experience you need the following to be successful with a group of these fish:

- Large tank. Mine are in a 120 gallon system. Please dont try to keep several grammas in a 30 gallon tank, they will kill each other.

-Rockwork. Grammas loves caves, overhangs and crevices.

-Simultaneous addition. Be sure to add them all at once, otherwise territories will be established and newly added fish will be bullied.

-Feeding. FEED your fish. Grammas are planktivores are feed from the water column almost constantly throughout the day.


Obviously there are exceptions to this and I am sure someone has fifty grammas in a 10 gallon tank, but in general the above is accurate.

~Michael

So I should be good with 5 in a 135 gal. Awesome because I really do like these fish. I was just worried they might be like pseudochromis and be one per tank fish. Thanks for your help.

 

[michael_cb_125]

I have had many rare and and hard to find fish, and I still always stops and look at a gramma in a tank. I must say that G. loreto is one of my favorites.

I think that you should be fine trying five in a 135. Good luck.

~Michael

 

[NewbyReefer]

I have had many rare and and hard to find fish, and I still always stops and look at a gramma in a tank. I must say that G. loreto is one of my favorites.

I think that you should be fine trying five in a 135. Good luck.

~Michael

Thanks. I just have to find a group or just go to a couple of stores so I can get them all at once.

 

[michael_cb_125]

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+21+53&pcatid=53



~Michael

 

[agreeive?fish]

not to hijack the thread... but how many in a 75g reef?

do you need males and females or does it matter

 

[michael_cb_125]

G. loreto does not show any distinguishable differences between male and female other than size, so it is difficult to purchase these fish based on sex.

When I added my group to the tank I purchased very small fish (under 1"). This way I allowed a mini harem to form. The dominant fish became a male and now he reigns over the others.

~Michael