Unusual Royal Gramma Behavior?

[Amazon4]

We've had a royal gramma going on three+ years. He's made the transition through all of our tanks, the 14g biocube, the 46g, the 30g, and now the 180 for 2+ years now.

He would always kind of set up a "territory". A short time ago I notice that he moved his territory from the right end of the 180, to the center - directly beneath a huge rbta.

Didn't think much of it. Then, twice I saw him swimming from one end of the tank with something "stick like", and bright white, out of his mouth heading back to his new "home".

Well, what he did was build him self a den using sponge. We have a large white sponge growing (don't know what kind - it has tall, thin, pipe like fingers). What he does is rip or break off small pieces 1/2" - 1" long, and swim back to his hole and kind a fill in the opening as he sees fit.

I've never seen anything like this before. I mean, I've seen fish rearrange rock rubble. But to go and scavange living sponge, and then be so meticulous about almost weaving the pieces to make a neat little opening...it's pretty cool! (he even used a shrimp molt, lol)

Anyone seen a gramma do anything like this? Plus, he's alone. It's not like hes got a mate. :inlove: Wonder why he's doing this all of a sudden.

 

[t4zalews]

thats a lot cooler than mine going into a rock and me never seeing him again

 

[Amazon4]

:eek2:

yah, that sux. I've had plenty of fish do that too

 

[GlassReef]

I have a mated pair. The male is constantly looking for material with which he can build a nest. In the past, he's used urchin spines, coral fragments, small snail shells, etc. Very interesting behavior.

 

[jason2459]

That's awesome amazon! I would love to watch something like that. I am going back and forth on getting a Royal Gramma right now wondering if it would be a good fit with the other tankmates.

 

[Amazon4]

Thanks GlassReef. Sounds like my guy is acting normal - wonder what set off the behavior?

heh, so it sounds like he is a he. Too bad he doesn't have a girl friend. He's built a nice home. :hammer:

He plays well with the other residents (3 tangs, a rabbit fish, anthias, clowns, flasher wrasse). I know in the wild they are not solitary fish and have wondered about adding more - but felt that could pose problems if there was fighting.

Now I feel a little sad that he's nesting and alone :sad2:

Then again...if there were a pair, would they become very territorial??

 

[Bmgrocks]

I'd go for it, and introduce a Much Smaller individual, you still have a massive tank, in gramma land, and plenty of rockwork and space for the newcomer to get away.

I actually have 3 Royal Grammas in a 12g...
One Large male, and 2 smaller females/adolescants

Only some mouth diplays, a little fighting the first day, but they've settled down nicely

 

[Amazon4]

I must admit I have done any homework yet :reading: But do the gramma's all start out female? So as long as I get a small juvi, I'm ok?

I imagine if they don't get along, they can each pout in either end of the 180.

 

[wtfisthisfob]

I had a royal gramma build nests out of hair alagae and caulerpa, I think he hated me for destroying his home when I had to do tank maintence though. Always felt bad afterwards.

Anyways, I you might be able to mate them if you bring a smaller or bigger gramma. This trick seem to work when I introduced some clowns at different times. And with a 180g tank that plenty of hiding room for squabbles.

 

[Sheol]

I wish I knew, but for some reason, my losing streak with Grammas has continued right up until present day. They all dissappear, never to be seen. In my tank's youth, they lasted a few weeks before that. But no luck, I cannot stand the thought of losing another, so no more.
Actually, my recently whacked damsel was number 1 suspect this last time. The Gramma was my first choice to restock my fish. Oh well, the damsel got HIS..

Matthew

 

[dixiedog]

That's pretty cool, Amazon. I had not heard of that either, and the gramma is a favorite of mine!

 

[Chihuahua6]

Add a few small ones. You will love the behavior and hopefully one will become his girl and enjoy all his hard work. I have four and the largest exhibits the same behavior. I love these fish.