Sudden Gramma Death

[Wandering Albatross]

Morning all, as stated in the title, I had a sudden royal gramma death. He went into hiding about 2 days ago, but after observing courtship behavior and abdominal swelling, then flattening of his smaller partner, I thought he might just be holed up on dad duty. He showed no signs of illness prior to hiding. I found him out on the sand this morning. All other fish are fine and active.

Anyone have an idea of what this was? No one else seems bothered in the slightest, and it’s only on his one side.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Morning all, as stated in the title, I had a sudden royal gramma death. He went into hiding about 2 days ago, but after observing courtship behavior and abdominal swelling, then flattening of his smaller partner, I thought he might just be holed up on dad duty. He showed no signs of illness prior to hiding. I found him out on the sand this morning. All other fish are fine and active.

Anyone have an idea of what this was? No one else seems bothered in the slightest, and it’s only on his one side.

This can be the result of aggression or result of fish dying and scavengers going to work on the fish and even scratching from flukes which they are prone to.
Any loss of appetite or shredded fins the day or two prior to loss?
Breathing normal or a little labored prior?

 

[Wandering Albatross]

This can be the result of aggression or result of fish dying and scavengers going to work on the fish and even scratching from flukes which they are prone to.
Any loss of appetite or shredded fins the day or two prior to loss?
Breathing normal or a little labored prior?

Absolutely nothing of the sort, which is why I’m a touch puzzled. He got along great with everyone, only going as far as to gape at the blenny if it looked at him funny, and would do a little mock chase with his partner. He never made contact with anyone. Ate pods from the water constantly, ate whenever I fed the tank, in pristine bodily condition. No spots, marks, or torn fins, and not shy at all. Normal breathing.

 

[vetteguy53081]

Absolutely nothing of the sort, which is why I’m a touch puzzled. He got along great with everyone, only going as far as to gape at the blenny if it looked at him funny, and would do a little mock chase with his partner. He never made contact with anyone. Ate pods from the water constantly, ate whenever I fed the tank, in pristine bodily condition. No spots, marks, or torn fins, and not shy at all. Normal breathing.

In instances like this, they spook easily and could have got damaged darting into rocks or glass as examples

 

[Wandering Albatross]

In instances like this, they spook easily and could have got damaged darting into rocks or glass as examples

Sounds like I should be concerned about my dartfish then, those guys move much faster through smaller holes and around tighter turns They still dart for sudden movements too close to the tank. With the exception of the first 2 days in the tank, I've never seen either gramma dart for cover, they'd always meander like they own the place. I was paranoid it was some kind of illness, but that seems odd given everyone else is fine and has been fine, and of course he was fine before hiding so I thought nothing of it. I'll keep this in mind and try to look for any more abnormal behavior. Although it'll be tough finding baby-guards that small...

 

[MnFish1]

Sounds like I should be concerned about my dartfish then, those guys move much faster through smaller holes and around tighter turns They still dart for sudden movements too close to the tank. With the exception of the first 2 days in the tank, I've never seen either gramma dart for cover, they'd always meander like they own the place. I was paranoid it was some kind of illness, but that seems odd given everyone else is fine and has been fine, and of course he was fine before hiding so I thought nothing of it. I'll keep this in mind and try to look for any more abnormal behavior. Although it'll be tough finding baby-guards that small...

I do not think you should be worried about fish diving into holes - since they do it naturally (though it may have been the cause of your royal gramma's death - just like Vetteguy says. But - that can happen when a fish hits the glass.

My guess is that your 'pair' - had a fight - and one beat the other up. Which is not uncommon.

"Royal Grammas will defend a preferred hiding place from intrusion. They will threaten conspecifics, as well as other fishes, by swimming toward them with their mouths open wide. If aggression escalates between two Royal Grammas, they may lock jaws and head shake, or nip at each other's fins and bodies. If agonistic interaction becomes frequent or reaches levels where injuries occur, it is important to separate them before permanent damage occurs. I have seen grammas severely injure the skeletal elements of the jaws during these ritualized battles. However, if you do it right, it is possible to keep more than one gramma in the same tank. Although several juveniles can be kept in aquariums as small as the standard 30 gallons, if you want to keep more than one adult you should put them in an aquarium of 55 gallons or larger."

 

[Wandering Albatross]

I do not think you should be worried about fish diving into holes - since they do it naturally (though it may have been the cause of your royal gramma's death - just like Vetteguy says. But - that can happen when a fish hits the glass.

My guess is that your 'pair' - had a fight - and one beat the other up. Which is not uncommon.

"Royal Grammas will defend a preferred hiding place from intrusion. They will threaten conspecifics, as well as other fishes, by swimming toward them with their mouths open wide. If aggression escalates between two Royal Grammas, they may lock jaws and head shake, or nip at each other's fins and bodies. If agonistic interaction becomes frequent or reaches levels where injuries occur, it is important to separate them before permanent damage occurs. I have seen grammas severely injure the skeletal elements of the jaws during these ritualized battles. However, if you do it right, it is possible to keep more than one gramma in the same tank. Although several juveniles can be kept in aquariums as small as the standard 30 gallons, if you want to keep more than one adult you should put them in an aquarium of 55 gallons or larger."

This is in a 150g, and he was the only one who would mock chase, his smaller partner never did. They swam together and slept in the same cave, opposite sides. But I do acknowledge that it’s possible for grammas to not get along in some situations.