Royal Gramma vs Bicolor DottyBack

[Thizzelle686]

I cant decide which of these two fish to put in my tank. I like the color of both of them equally but I am curious about the temperament of each. I plan on keeping either one with a pair of clowns and a cherub angel. It will be a 30 gallon LPS Tank with lots of live rock. I want the fish that will be out in the open more. Any experience with each would be appreciated.

 

[Outerbank]

The RG should be more peaceful. I'm not sure which one will be out the most.

 

[insanefishguy]

I LOVE my gramma! But u would bet he would be the hider of the two choices. Mine hangs out upside in his little cave most of the time but my fish can be kinda hostile

 

[snorvich]

The royal gramma is somewhat cryptic. Most dottybacks are fairly aggressive.

 

[Sheol]

In my readings (I've tried to keep a Bi-color once, but my Yellow & Purple Fish Curse caused it to vanish. Same luck, but EVEN worse with Royal Grammas) is that these Dottybacks are amongst the more aggressive & anti-social of a rowdy family.
Unless your into really scrappy fish, I'd go with the Gramma.
Just wish I could keep one alive. Alas!

Sincerely,
Matthew

 

[dzfish17]

I have two royal grammas that stay in close to the rocks most of the time. Ive never kept a bi-color but Ive heard that they are alot more aggressive.

 

[snorvich]

I have two royal grammas that stay in close to the rocks most of the time. Ive never kept a bi-color but Ive heard that they are alot more aggressive.

Any issue with the two royal grammas?

 

[shay]

I would not keep a Royal Gramma with a Cherub Angel. Cherubs are one of the most aggressive dwarf angels. I tried that pairing before and I had to take the Cherub back to the lfs because he would not stop harassing the Royal Gramma.
This was in a 55 gallon tank.

 

[dzfish17]

Any issue with the two royal grammas?

Not at all. They usually stay towards the upper 2/3 of the tank and are within 1' of each other most of the time... maybe its a pair.

 

[lgray13]

My RG is out most of the day. He doesn't wander far from the cave but is out of it except at night. Beautiful fish, not aggressive at all.

 

[snorvich]

Not at all. They usually stay towards the upper 2/3 of the tank and are within 1' of each other most of the time... maybe its a pair.

Thanks Dave. I have the proper rock work in my 350, I think I will give that a try.

 

[davocean]

I love gramma's, pretty much have always had one, and never a bad experience other than an occasional shy guy, and the fish you keep may be a factor on how much they are out in the open.
I usually have pretty good luck w/ that.
Dottybacks are another story, never had one that wasn't mean to something in my tank, and good luck if you like shrimps.

 

[BeanMachine]

My RG is really timid, stays close to the rocks most of the time but does come out. + a few more on the psuedochromis, ones I've had in the past like someone mentioned seem to pick at others.

 

[Outerbank]

The ORA Fridmani dottyback is gorgeous and hardy. Mine is passive and not reclusive, but my tank is relatively large with many places for a fish to call its own.

 

[dzfish17]

I had an orchid dottyback in my 210g reef and it was pretty calm too. They are one of my favorite fish.

 

[Thizzelle686]

Im diggin the orchid dottyback. that might be a good alternative to both of these fish. Im just looking for whatever one will be the most social. Any suggestions?

 

[scionreefing]

I vote for the gramma. The bi-color are brutes. I have a friend that has a 240 wide that houses a gramma with a sohal and purple tang and let me tell you he is out all the time. He hovers in the middle of the tank over the sand bed. Plus they have more beauty than the bi-color dottyback. If you want a nice dottyback that won't prey on your shrimp a springeri dottyback or springers dottyback are just fine I kept mine with a dwarf coral banded shrimp. Atleast that's what I call them.

Raffle grabber

 

[davocean]

The ORA Fridmani dottyback is gorgeous and hardy. Mine is passive and not reclusive, but my tank is relatively large with many places for a fish to call its own.

Yeah that is fairly passive as dotty's go, and pretty, just curious how yours is w/ inverts?

 

[davocean]

My gramma is out pretty often, and not camera shy, got this decent shot a couple days ago.

 

[Outerbank]

Yeah that is fairly passive as dotty's go, and pretty, just curious how yours is w/ inverts?

I don't have many crabs, snails, or shrimp. I used to have pepperment shrimp about 2 years ago and either old age, my flame hawk, or dottyback eventually killed them. I have 2-3 black and white hermits which are fairly large at 3/4 inch to 1 inch, several smaller hermits, and 2-3 turbo snails. I used to have red hermits and they either died or were eaten by fish (flame hawk or dottyback)or the bigger crabs. I have many large bristleworms but none of the 1 inch red/orange bristleworms that I once seeded in my tank.