Royal Gramma
Scientific Name : Gramma Loreto
Origin : Caribbean Seas
Temperament : Territorial
Temperature : 72F - 82F
Maximum Size : 3 Inches
Diet : Carnivore
Difficulty : Easy
Reef Safe : Yes
Tank Size : 20 Gallons
The Royal Gramma is by far, the most recognizable marine aquarium basslet in the markets. This beauty is a staple offering in the hobby and sell very well as a result. The royal gramma is commonly known as the fairy basslet and they are easily confused with the bicolor dottyback (Pseudochromis Bicolor).
The Royal Gramma is collected from around the Caribbean Oceans at depths of up to 50 feet. They are very common in the trade and are usually one of the first choices for those starting off in the marine aquarium hobby. It is very easy to see why.
The royal gramma is one of the most beautiful fish to hit the hobby. It is a rich purple as it changes to a bright orange to yellow midway through to its back. While the royal dottyback has similar colors, telling them apart is easy. The royal gramma has a single black streak across its eyes.
Their scientific name is Gramma Loreto and they are a very cheap fish considering how beautiful they are. Expect to pay up to $20 for a single specimen. While they have been bred in captivity, their low price tag does not make them a commercially viable prospect.
The Royal Gramma isn't particularly aggressive by any means, but they will defend their territory from intruders. They require plenty of holes and shaded areas to take up residence in. They are not shy and can commonly be seen hovering outside the entrance to their cave.
They are a resilient species once they have been acclimated to their surroundings and begun to feed. There are no particular problems with regards to rearing them in captivity which makes them even more popular among the reefing community.
These basslets are all strictly carnivores that roam the rock structure for small prey to feed on. As such, smaller crustaceans such as the sexy shrimp and fish that can fit in their mouth are bad tankmates to consider.
They should be given meaty food on a daily basis. They usually do not accept dry fish food such as flake food or pellets. Some great choices for them include * Mysis Shrimp, * Prime Reef and * Frozen Krill. These basslets usually adapt very quickly to frozen foods after a few days.
Overall, the Royal Gramma is a very pretty addition to the tank. Because of their small size, they can be kept in smaller aquariums and are ideal for mini reefs in the twenty to thirty gallon range.
