View Full Version : Royal Gramma swimming on it's side
105man
10-15-2003, 8:49 PM
A recent addition, after hiding out near the corner where the hang-on skimmer is, it now often swims on it's side...also, hangs upside down or stands up in corner.
Are these oddities normal for a Royal Gramma?
It is eating and otherwise seems OK.
i've never heard of those behaviors as normal for a royal gramma but I'm not to familiar with that fish. How is everything else in the tank?
105man
10-16-2003, 8:08 AM
Tank is great in all respects. I am guessing that it isn't unusual for Grammas to swim that way.
Thanks.
kreblak
10-16-2003, 8:23 AM
Grammas tend to be pretty adventuresome. It yours staying exclusively in the one corner, or is he venturing out and returning regularly?
105man
10-16-2003, 10:27 AM
Not very adventurous yet...seems to avoid areas where other fish are, though that may be improving. The gramma is eating and seems to be somewhat more active. In beginning, had been hanging vertically in upper corner near skimmer.
mogurnda
10-16-2003, 10:54 AM
SOunds like a scared fish to me. I can't remember if you have anybody who might be bothering it.
g. mcclean
10-16-2003, 6:12 PM
According to John Tullock in Natural Reef Aquariums, "Grammas have the amusing habit of hanging upside-down under rocky shelves." I have read very interesting posts here and elsewhere about the amusing behavior of Royal Grammas. Ours had a cave that she would dive into when the lights went off or when she was spooked. She would frequently be upside down almost appearing to stand on her head. She was otherwise fairly calm and would swim normally. However she is also one of the fish from our 46 that "went missing." Several other posts have also mentioned the unexplained death of grammas. They are listed as "easy to keep", but we and apparently several others have not had luck with them.
Yep, ours swims upside down almost as often as right side up. Lots of fun watching them around the LR.