Royal Gramma

[Drew]

Hello all,
I have recently been pondering whether or not to get a couple fire fish. I think everything would be ok, the tank would be either my 45 or 55 gallon, I am making changed to both. The only problem I can think of is my royal gramma. He was the first fish I got for my 45 and has been in the tank for about 6 months. He considers most of the LR "his" and chases all the other fish away when he feels threatened. What do you think he would react like if I introduced two firefish into his tank? I am pretty sure I will be moving my tang from the 45 to the 55 once it is established, otherwise that tank would be very crowded. So what do you think? Also, I am looking for a tankmate for my pair of percs in a 20 gal breeder. I was think along the lines of a goby or blenny. Any suggestion? Thanks.

Drew

------------------
"Im learnding"
"Thats my sandbox, I can't go in the deep-end"

[Brooke]

Firefish are great fish, but they are also very timid. If your gramma is a bully you would never see the firefish. I think ours were scared to death of our foxface. They will make a cave in the rocks, usually near the substrate. This will become their "dart" hole. Hence the name dartfishes. Purple firefish tend to be more bold, but I don't think either would be a good addition in the gramma tank. You might try something bold like a maroon clown, or a yellow tang (but then you run the risk of it getting stressed from the gramma and getting ich). I'm not sure how they would get along, but some dottybacks are feisty little critters as well. Scott Michaels book says they are nonagressive but will defend their favorite place in the live rock.

Brooke

------------------
Help protect our reefs! Support companies that sell captive-bred and aquacultured products.

[bmw]

Well--
I guess every situtation is different.
I introduced a firefish about two weeks after a royal gramma-got a long fine. It is in a 90 with lots of rock. And again, my firefish has never been shy--alway out and mixing with a large yellow tang, and flame angel.
??
b.

the royal gramman I had was a mellow dude after the clarkii and damsel introduced them selves. One look at a damsel with its head in a grammas mouth and you'll know they are definatly serranidae(sea bass)

------------------
I thought I was me, but we were wrong
email: geeflipr@internetcds.com

[Alice]

You might try a bi-color blennie in with your percs. Bi-colors are a great community fish and will help with algae control. Bear in mind though, if the precs are truly a pair, they might be a little aggressive.

------------------
Reefkeeping is my life; I can't afford a hobby too!