Can't keep a Royal Gramma Alive...

NeilRogers · Jul 20, 2024

Not sure what is going on. One of my all time favorite fish. Had one in my tank for about six months. It died and I just chalked it up to these things happen. Obtained a second one from mail order, was much smaller than I thought it would be, didn't last a week. Waited a while and tried one more time from a LFS, it is currently missing and presumed deceased.

32 Gallon Aquapod w/Protein Skimmer

Tankmates are:

Fiji Damsel (removed before introduction of last Gramma=became tank bully)
Six Line Wrasse (observed to be not aggressive)
Chalk Bass
Percula Clown
Cleaner Shrimp
Clean Up Crew
Softies all doing well

Water Parameters:
Temp 82
Salinity 1.025

All readings done with Hanna Checker

Ammonia .12
Ph 8.0
Nitrate 21
Phosphate .34
Alkalinity 10dkh
Calcium 450
Nitrite 14 (ppb)

Lots of live rock, hiding places, etc.

Was out of the hobby for about 15 years, Gramma always seemed fairly easy to keep, but now...

Formulator · Jul 20, 2024

First I want to acknowledge that you have detectable ammonia. You really should be getting zero in a cycled tank. Your levels won’t kill anything but your fish would be happier if it were zero. But that is not the reason for the supposed deaths of your grammas. I wanted to get that out of the way, because I’m sure a bunch of folks are going to be here with torches and pitchforks to lecture you about cycling.

Anyways, with that out of the way…

Grammas are extremely timid and like to stay in or near their caves. When I first got mine, I didn’t see him for almost 2 weeks. Then one day he appeared during feeding and quickly went back to hide. Eventually over the course of a month or so he slowly became more active in the open. I bet yours is still alive somewhere in your tank. How long since you added the last one?

Matt Bravo · Jul 20, 2024

I think it may just be the places you are getting them from, I agree with making sure there are plenty of hiding spaces because they are very timid fish and lack of hiding spaces will definitely stress them

One Reefing Boi · Jul 20, 2024

This is my issue with every single wrasse I try :/

sfin52 · Jul 21, 2024

Chalk bass and gramma won't get along. Your problem is the Chalk bass.

jabberwock · Jul 21, 2024

Formulator said:
First I want to acknowledge that you have detectable ammonia. You really should be getting zero in a cycled tank. Your levels won’t kill anything but your fish would be happier if it were zero. But that is not the reason for the supposed deaths of your grammas. I wanted to get that out of the way, because I’m sure a bunch of folks are going to be here with torches and pitchforks to lecture you about cycling.

Anyways, with that out of the way…

Grammas are extremely timid and like to stay in or near their caves. When I first got mine, I didn’t see him for almost 2 weeks. Then one day he appeared during feeding and quickly went back to hide. Eventually over the course of a month or so he slowly became more active in the open. I bet yours is still alive somewhere in your tank. How long since you added the last one?

All of the Royal Grammas I have had have been bold and complete jerks. I don't even try to keep them anymore.

jabberwock · Jul 21, 2024

sfin52 said:
Chalk bass and gramma won't get along. Your problem is the Chalk bass.

Yep, but the problem is chalk bass + gramma. Throw in a clownfish to make it extra tasty...

bobbykoz · Jul 21, 2024

100 percent agree with the ammonia and am surprised no one jumped down your throat about it. Also agree with how timid they are. I haven’t had them in a while but bought a pair about 6 months ago. Granted my tank has a lot of rocks with tunnels to hide in and it’s also 7 years old so nothing is “hard to keep”. I feed heavy and a lot of different frozens but I am also lucky to have a lfs that carry’s a variety of live foods. When I started feeding live about 4 years I have very rarely lost anything. Slime coats become thicker, fish are less prone to diseases and eat like they’ve never been fed before every day. To sum it up, mature your tank more, try out live food and try switching up what you feed. Tbh, I’m one of those people that don’t quarantine, test and chase parameters or freak out if things aren’t up to par. Patients, consistency and slow changes are key to this hobby. Every tank is different and don’t chase numbers. Changes cause stress and that’s the number one killer of fish in my opinion and before I get attacked by tank *****, All of this is just my opinion. Don’t agree then do what works for you and move on‍