Royal Gramma Question

[Dkuhlmann]

I got a small Royal Gramma two weeks ago and haven't seen it since the second day. I'm going to add 3 more fish to my tank in the next couple of weeks and am trying to decide if I need to get another one or not. I am NOT going to tear down my tank.

What are your thoughts of a 1" fish dying and being consumed by the cuc and no trace that I've seen of a dead fish. I know some can be spooky and hide a lot but I would think it would have shown itself at least every now and then.

Thoughts?

 

[Nina51]

it's entirely possible that your cuc made quick work of it if it did die. so, you haven't even caught a glimpse of it when you feed your tank? was this fish bought locally or did you have it shipped and how did you acclimate it?

 

[JoeVandal49]

Mine was pretty reclusive when i first added it. Would go missing for several days at a time and then turn up again the first couple weeks. This is in a 55g

Now its out every day and very active for a Royal Gramma. From what i have seen they can indeed be shy and reclusive fish.

Its certainly possible its in hiding, but missing for several weeks, i would say the CUC likely made short work of it.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

This is my 30 gal in my sig. I did a proper acclimation and I bought it from Petco about an hour drive from my house. I also got 2 Perculas and they are wonderful.

No not even the slightest glimpse in almost 2 weeks of having it. Since I'm planning on getting the other fish from Vivid I want to order all in one shot. I'll be having spine surgery in a month and want all of my fish purchased and in the tank before that.

It's a hard thing to decide I know but with no glimpse of any flash of yellow I have my doubts.

 

[mav3rick478]

Yeah sounds like he did not make it unfortunately. Especially since its been a couple of weeks.

 

[JoeVandal49]

This is my 30 gal in my sig. I did a proper acclimation and I bought it from Petco about an hour drive from my house. I also got 2 Perculas and they are wonderful.

No not even the slightest glimpse in almost 2 weeks of having it. Since I'm planning on getting the other fish from Vivid I want to order all in one shot. I'll be having spine surgery in a month and want all of my fish purchased and in the tank before that.

It's a hard thing to decide I know but with no glimpse of any flash of yellow I have my doubts.

If it were a Yellow wrasse or something of that nature that are know to disappear in the sand for weeks at a time when first introduced, i would lean towards it being alive, but in a 30 gallon, i have a hard time believing its still alive after several weeks of not even a glimpse.

Do you have an overflow/sump? Could it have ended up in the overflow?

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I do have an overflow and a sump and have kept an eye on it. There is about 50 lbs of lr in it and no way am I pulling it.

You have all pretty much backed up my thoughts on just getting another one. Yeah it sucks to loose one of our tank mates for sure.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

My last RG was Great! He would be front and center as soon as the lights came on and went to bed when they went off. He would eat out of my hand. I really wasn't expecting this guy to be so scared. I saw him multiple times first day and only once the next. Not a glimpse since.

 

[JoeVandal49]

Mine was pretty reclusive for the first couple weeks, but now is fairly active from what i have seen from RG. He is however still the most reclusive fish in my 55g tank.

One of the most beautiful fish out there IMO. Possibly THE most beautiful.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I agree very beautiful fish. Anne hasn't seen it yet lol I have shown her pictures and she can't wait to see one. Probably not this one.

I'm going to wait two weeks before the order so it has time to show itself.

 

[ThRoewer]

I have 3 in my 10 gallon QT with a 2" baby marine betta and a pair of wild Solomon percula.
The gramma got more reclusive than before when I added the clowns last Saturday while the little marine betta got even more outgoing.

In the over 3 months I have them in there they grew quite a bit but not evenly. At the beginning they were all pretty much the same size. The one who grew largest is now the male while the second largest is clearly a functional female (much rounder than the male). The third seems to be either a non functional female or a smaller female that's suppressed by the larger ones.
I never observed any fighting among them that resulted in injury, just some chasing and ritualized confrontations where both have their mouths wide open against each other until the weaker gives in.
The male has dug out a cave and I kind of suspect that they have already spawned.
It's quite interesting to observe their social behavior (like with pretty much all fish).

 

[Nina51]

yeah, in a 30g, i'd consider it a goner if you haven't seen it by now.

good luck with your spine surgery.

 

[Dkuhlmann]

I have 3 in my 10 gallon QT with a 2" baby marine betta and a pair of wild Solomon percula.
The gramma got more reclusive than before when I added the clowns last Saturday while the little marine betta got even more outgoing.

In the over 3 months I have them in there they grew quite a bit but not evenly. At the beginning they were all pretty much the same size. The one who grew largest is now the male while the second largest is clearly a functional female (much rounder than the male). The third seems to be either a non functional female or a smaller female that's suppressed by the larger ones.
I never observed any fighting among them that resulted in injury, just some chasing and ritualized confrontations where both have their mouths wide open against each other until the weaker gives in.
The male has dug out a cave and I kind of suspect that they have already spawned.
It's quite interesting to observe their social behavior (like with pretty much all fish).

That's cool! I think I'll go ahead and get another one. I'll ask Vivid to pick me one that's outgoing LOL

yeah, in a 30g, i'd consider it a goner if you haven't seen it by now.

good luck with your spine surgery.

Thanks Nina :thumbsup: I'm looking forward to getting out of pain and getting rid of the numb legs and feet, and most of all gaining back a quality of life! I'm fine sitting but can't walk much before the pain hits a 12 on a 10 scale.

 

[Nina51]

Thanks Nina :thumbsup: I'm looking forward to getting out of pain and getting rid of the numb legs and feet, and most of all gaining back a quality of life! I'm fine sitting but can't walk much before the pain hits a 12 on a 10 scale.

been there, done that!