Royal Gramma

[Mr_Cool]

I got a Royal Gramma last weekend. I just love the color of those guys. But, I didn't know that they like to hide all the time. Or, is it just mine?

When I released him into the tank, he went right into a hole in one of my rocks. I figured he just needed time to adjust. He's been in the same rock all day Saturday. He came out for about 5 minutes on Sunday, but when one of my damsels started chasing him, he went back in. He was in there all day today, too. He didn't eat at all over the weekend, but he came out just long enough to grab some shrimp today. Then, he went back in.

Is this going to continue, or does he just need some more time? He was swimming around in the tank at the LFS.

(To be honest, I really need to know what to tell my 6 year old. He keeps asking, "Why did we get it if it's just going to hide all the time?!" Not a bad question, huh?)

[CD]

but when one of my damsels started chasing him


There is your answer right there ;)

Damsels are MEAN little buggers (what kind of damsel BTW?) and will even pick fights with fish larger than they are! We have a domino in our 55G with an Undulate trigger five times his size, and he is still dominating the trigger!! :o

I think you are going to have to choose...Gramma or Damsel. :(

W.

[Thunderkat]

I had a blue devil, a yellow tailed damsel, and a purple psudochrome that started to beat up on my cleaner wrasse. The choice was easy, I donated the aggressors to a fish store. The cleaner wrasse is still doing ok to this day :)

[Mr_Cool]

O'kay, this may sound like a dumb question, but here goes....

If I decide to get rid of the damsel, how will the gramma know if he never comes out of hiding?

Here's the thing. I have 2 of these black and white humbug damsels. I also have a gold damsel, a blue damsel, and 2 green chromises, but they were not bothering the gramma. I think the humbugs are a mated pair because the big one does this jumping type thing while he's swimming. He also just sort of hovers in one place and sort of wiggles his fins like he's trying to attract the female. He does this every 2 or 3 weeks or so. (I read somewhere that males exhibit this type of behavior just before spawning.) However, I've never seen any eggs nor have I seen the smaller one (presumably the female) looking like it was laying eggs. The two of them are a little tempermental at times, but at other times, they're very peaceful. Usually, the big one will just chase the small one around and generally leave the other fish alone. It's the smaller one that wants to chase the other fish, but not all the time.

So, do you think they're a pair and this mating behavior is just bad timing for the gramma? I'd be interested in any thoughts you might have here.



I know that in other fish, like clowns, the females are bigger. Also, I know that the fish can actually change sexes

[Mr_Cool]

O'kay, this may sound like a dumb question, but here goes....

If I decide to get rid of the damsel, how will the gramma know if he never comes out of hiding?

Here's the thing. I have 2 of these black and white humbug damsels. I also have a gold damsel, a blue damsel, and 2 green chromises, but they were not bothering the gramma. I think the humbugs are a mated pair because the big one does this jumping type thing while he's swimming. He also just sort of hovers in one place and sort of wiggles his fins like he's trying to attract the female. He does this every 2 or 3 weeks or so. (I read somewhere that males exhibit this type of behavior just before spawning.) However, I've never seen any eggs nor have I seen the smaller one (presumably the female) looking like it was laying eggs. The two of them are a little tempermental at times, but at other times, they're very peaceful. Usually, the big one will just chase the small one around and generally leave the other fish alone. It's the smaller one that wants to chase the other fish, but not all the time.

So, do you think they're a pair and this mating behavior is just bad timing for the gramma? I'd be interested in any thoughts you might have here.



I know that in other fish, like clowns, the females are bigger. Also, I know that the fish can actually change sexes

[CD]

If I decide to get rid of the damsel, how will the gramma know if he never comes out of hiding?


Oh he will know alright...poor little thing is probably peeking out every once in awhile and saying to himself "nope - the monster damsel is still out there...back to hiding". I would imagine the gramma isn't getting much to eat either, and will starve unless he feels comfy in your tank (sans damsels).



black and white humbug damsels.


Never heard of a "humbug" damsel...I'm thinking you mean a Domino? Are they solid black with a couple of white spots and the fin on top looks like a Sgt. with a burr haircut? As I mentioned, those things are Mr. Meanie personified. The one in our 55G that chases the trigger...that little bugger will also attack the magnet glass cleaner when I'm cleaning the glass...VERY aggressive. Take 'em out and see if the LFS that you frequent would like them in trade for something else? Someone with a predator tank might want them, and you could get something less aggresive for your tank in trade. Most LFS will take trades.



So, do you think they're a pair and this mating behavior is just bad timing for the gramma?


It's possible that they are a mated pair, but even if you had one in there, it would STILL chase your gramma. Like I said, it's time to choose which fish you like the best and sell or trade the other(s). ;)

W. :)

[Mr_Cool]

Thanks!

BTW, it's not a domino. It's black with 2 white stripes. Looks kind of like a Four Stripe damsel, but with less stripes. I've heard them called humbugs. Anyway, thanks for the advice.

[brewercm]

As far as the gramma goes. I had one that did like to stay in his hole in his rock. He'd come out to eat and every so often swim around but I believe that this is also part of their nature. Nobody was picking on him, just found his teritory and stayed there and would guard off others though.

Damsels are little b@stt@rds though, so watch out for that too.

[GaryP]

Yea, Grammas normally live in caves and rock crevices in the wild anyway.

[Mr_Cool]

My daughter told me that he was out swimming around when she got home from school today. I asked if the damsel was picking on it, and she said, "Yeah." She also said the percula clown was trying to bite it. Does that sound strange? I know that damsels can be mean little buggers, but the clown?

[Reef69]

..Clowns are damsels..so yeah. I would take the damsels out, which is going to be close to impossible since they are very fast and very smart..