Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma Loreto): A Colorful Reef Favorite
The Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto) is a classic choice for saltwater aquariums. With its bright purple front half and golden-yellow tail, this hardy little fish adds a big splash of color to almost any reef tank. Peaceful, reef-safe, and relatively easy to care for, the Royal Gramma is a great option for both beginners and experienced hobbyists.
Natural Behavior, Temperament & Tank Mates
In the wild, Royal Grammas live in rocky reef areas of the Caribbean, spending much of their time hovering upside down under ledges and darting into caves. In the home aquarium, they behave similarly, often claiming a favorite cave or crevice and defending it.
They are generally peaceful, but can be territorial toward similar-shaped or similarly colored fish, especially in smaller tanks. To keep aggression low:
- Provide plenty of rockwork and caves so each fish can claim a spot.
- Avoid housing more than one Royal Gramma in small systems unless you have experience with pairing or larger tanks.
- Choose tank mates that are peaceful to semi-aggressive, such as clownfish, gobies, and many wrasses.
For more ideas on compatible communities, see our guide on peaceful reef fish.
Tank Requirements & Water Parameters
Royal Grammas stay small, usually reaching about 3 inches (7–8 cm), but they are active and appreciate room to swim.
- Minimum tank size: 30 gallons for a single Royal Gramma.
- Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C).
- Salinity: 1.023–1.026 specific gravity.
- pH: 8.1–8.4.
- Rockwork: Caves, overhangs, and shaded areas are important for natural behavior.
They are reef-safe and will not bother corals or most invertebrates, making them a great addition to mixed reef tanks. As with all marine fish, stable water quality is more important than chasing “perfect” numbers. Regular water changes and good filtration go a long way. If you’re still planning your setup, check our detailed guide on saltwater aquarium setup.
Feeding & Day-to-Day Care
Royal Grammas are carnivores and usually easy to feed. In a healthy tank, they will pick at pods and small critters in the rock, but they still need a regular diet.
Diet Tips
- Offer a mix of high-quality frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp (enriched), and finely chopped seafood.
- Supplement with small marine pellets or flakes formulated for carnivores.
- Feed 1–2 times per day, offering only what they can eat in a couple of minutes.
They can be shy at first and may hang back in the rockwork during feeding. Target feeding near their cave with a turkey baster or feeding pipette can help them get enough food, especially in busy community tanks.
Acclimation, Health & Hobbyist Tips
Royal Grammas ship reasonably well but still benefit from a gentle acclimation process:
- Use a drip acclimation method over 30–45 minutes to adjust to your tank’s salinity and pH.
- Quarantine new arrivals for 2–4 weeks when possible to observe for parasites or disease.
- Provide dim lighting or reduced intensity for the first day to reduce stress.
Signs of a healthy Royal Gramma include bright coloration, alert behavior, and steady breathing. They may spend a lot of time near their cave, but should come out to feed confidently. If you’re new to marine fish, our article on beginner saltwater fish offers additional stocking tips.
Hobbyist Tip: Royal Grammas sometimes “yawn,” showing off a large mouth. This is normal and often a territorial display, not necessarily a sign of illness.
Is the Royal Gramma Right for Your Tank?
The Royal Gramma Basslet (Gramma loreto) is an excellent choice for reef and fish-only systems that meet its basic needs: stable water, rockwork with caves, and peaceful tank mates. In return, you get a hardy, colorful fish with interesting natural behavior that you’ll enjoy for years. For many hobbyists, a Royal Gramma becomes a true centerpiece in a modest-sized reef tank.
Sources
- Michael, S. W. (2001). Marine Fishes: 500+ Essential-To-Know Aquarium Species. Microcosm.
- Fenner, R. (2001). The Conscientious Marine Aquarist. Microcosm.
- FishBase: Gramma loreto species summary (accessed 2024).
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