Royal gramma agression

cookr959 · May 20, 2016

I just put a boulocks wrasse in my tank and my royal gramma has been aggressive towards the wrasse chasing him around the tank. Should I be concerned or will the gramma eventually get over it? The tank is a 45 gallon oceanic tech tank.

4FordFamily · May 20, 2016

They'll probably work it out but they can be aggressive to fish of similar shape. In the future you'll want to consider using a social acclimation box.

Leaving the lights on less will help with stress, and if you need to you can place a mirror on the side of the tank and it might distract the gramma enough until the aggression subsides.

eatbreakfast · May 20, 2016

^Agreed on all points. The aggression should subside.

cookr959 · May 21, 2016

Thank you. Less aggression today, the wrasse is staying to one side of the tank and the gramma just goes and looks at him from time to time.

cookr959 · May 25, 2016

Well the gramma is still aggressive towards the wrasse and the wrasse has not eaten since the second day I put it in the tank. I removed him and he is back in QT to try to get him to eat again. Would it be a good idea to try and take the gramma out for a couple days while the wrasse is in the tank? Or will the gramma just get agressive again?

eatbreakfast · May 25, 2016

cookr959 said:
Well the gramma is still aggressive towards the wrasse and the wrasse has not eaten since the second day I put it in the tank. I removed him and he is back in QT to try to get him to eat again. Would it be a good idea to try and take the gramma out for a couple days while the wrasse is in the tank? Or will the gramma just get agressive again?

You can take it out for a few days, it won't hurt anything. You could also try placing a mirror outside the tank were the gramma can see it's reflection so it will focus it's aggression on the greater threat of another gramma in the tank.

cookr959 · May 25, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
You can take it out for a few days, it won't hurt anything. You could also try placing a mirror outside the tank were the gramma can see it's reflection so it will focus it's aggression on the greater threat of another gramma in the tank.

I tried the mirror and he didn't even notice his reflection unfortunately

eatbreakfast · May 25, 2016

cookr959 said:
I tried the mirror and he didn't even notice his reflection unfortunately

In that case, removing him for a few days is best. If you are able to put him in a social acclimation box for a few days inside the tank, so he has a chance to get used to the lubbocks without being able to do anything about it should calm him down too.