Royal gramma

Care at a glance

The royal gramma is one of the most rewarding fish for a starter reef tank: small, colourful with its purple-and-yellow split, fully reef-safe and inexpensive. It likes to hover near its regular hole, often theatrically upside down beneath an overhanging rock.

It is peaceful towards other species, but defends its own cave fiercely, especially against fish of a similar shape. Keep one per tank and provide plenty of rockwork with hiding places. With small meaty and plankton foods a few times a day it quickly gains colour and weight.

Good to know

• Territorial

Best not combined with

• Orchid dottybackPseudochromis fridmani
• Blackcap bassletGramma melacara

Related species

• Six-line wrassePseudocheilinus hexataenia
• Yellow tangZebrasoma flavescens
• Blue tangParacanthurus hepatus
• Firefish gobyNemateleotris magnifica
• Banggai cardinalfishPterapogon kauderni
• Ocellaris clownfishAmphiprion ocellaris