Royal Gramma

The Royal Gramma is a strikingly beautiful small fish that has been a mainstay of the marine aquarium hobby for decades. Its coloration is truly spectacular: the front half of the body is a vivid electric purple that seamlessly transitions into a bright golden yellow on the rear half, with a thin line of blended coloration where the two colors meet. A distinctive black spot adorns the front of the dorsal fin, and a bold black streak runs through the eye. This remarkable color pattern has earned the Royal Gramma its regal common name.

Native to the deep reef walls and cave-riddled reef structures of the Caribbean and Western Atlantic, the Royal Gramma is a cave-dwelling species that typically orients itself toward the nearest surface, often swimming upside down beneath ledges and overhangs. This unique behavior is perfectly normal and should not concern aquarists who observe it in their tanks. In the wild, they hover near the entrances of caves and crevices, darting out to capture passing zooplankton before retreating to safety.

The Royal Gramma is an outstanding aquarium fish for both beginners and experienced hobbyists. It is hardy, disease-resistant, completely reef-safe, and readily accepts a wide variety of prepared foods. It requires minimal swimming space and thrives in tanks as small as 30 gallons, provided adequate rockwork with caves and overhangs is available. While peaceful toward most tankmates, Royal Grammas will vigorously defend their chosen cave or crevice from intruders, lunging at fish that venture too close with their impressive gaping display. This behavior is mostly bluster and rarely results in actual harm to tankmates.