sand sifting goby & Royal Gramma ok?

[corrado007]

I have a 24gal cube with some corals, a small red fin fairy wrasse, a orange spotted goby, a clean up crew, and now a royal gramma. I picked up the gramma yesterday from a lfs and when I put it in the tank it went streight for one of the goby's dug out caves under some LR. The goby and gramma faught mouth to mouth and did all sorts of fin flipping to say I'm bigger and this is my cave. Grammas are usually peaceful but known to be territorial from what I understand. Has anyone else had experience/knowledge with this pair of fish? Will they establish who owns what turf or will I have to banish one to the QT tank? I'm just keeping a close eye for now to make sure no physical harm is being done. Thanks.

[Little Luey]

Welcome to TRT!

They will definatly stablish who the boss is, keep an eye on them and make sure the goby does not get kill in the process. Maybe rearenge the rocks so that everyone will have to pick a diferent spot.

[Geoff]

sounds like you do not have enough caves in the tank. grammas are very protective of their cave. unfortunately so is the goby.

G~

[Kevster]

I have those two in my 90g. I added the gramma first, and they get along just fine. Occasionally, if the gramma gets too close to the goby's favorite spot, the goby will open his mouth up real big. But that's as far as it ever goes. I hope they work it out.

[corrado007]

Thanks for the welcome, I've been lurking for a while but only became a member a few months ago. I'd love to rearrange the rocks but there are only 3 large ones in the tank as its only a 24gal cube. perhaps i'll fill in the goby's holes he's dug and see if that helps. When feeding last night the gramma came out of the cave for the first extended period of time. I see this as a good sign. Since, he's been showing his face a bit more and I've only seen mild signs of aggression like opening of the mouth and quick movements around other fish. I think it'll work out ok as soon as territorial boundries have been set but only time will tell. Thanks for the input everyone.
Justin

[faintreny]

I have these two also, but the Gramma went in last, they prefer shaded vertical spots, so if you can provide an overhang, he will probably prefer it to the Goby's cave...

Good luck...

[Tynan Rasmus]

I had the same issue when I added my gramma, only I had a pistol living with the goby and he kicked the grammas ass. Lets just say, the gramma lost the war, but now he is doing well, far away from gobies home. Oh, and pistol is gone.