Royal Gramma Basslet

 Quick Care Facts

• Care Level: Easy   • Temperament: Peaceful   • Maximum Size: 3"
• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons   • Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
• Diet: Carnivore   • Origin: Western Atlantic
• Family: Grammidae   • Species: Basslets   • Aquarium Type: Reef Compatible

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The Royal Gramma is one of the most popular of the Basslet species combining beautiful coloration with a very hardy nature that is at home in either a community or reef aquarium. The adult size of the Royal Gramma, at only 3 inches also makes this species very popular with nano reef and small aquarium owners. While a very peaceful species, the Royal Gramma is aggressive towards its own species, displaying a very territorial nature towards others of its own species.

The Royal Gramma requires live rock or other aquascaping to provide it with a safe place to hide when threatened and to give caves in crevices in which to explore and graze on algae. Being a deep water species, the Royal Gramma will also be more comfortable in the aquarium environment with rock caves and crevices to escape the often intense marine aquarium lighting.

One of the most highly sought after of the basslets, the Royal Gramma Basslet or Fairy Basslet is a beautiful combination of electric purple and yellow. The front half of its body and head are a bright purple to violet, while the back half is a striking and vibrant yellow. There is a black mark extending over both eyes; as well as, a black dot located on front section of the dorsal fin. The fading between the it's two main colors provides a striking gradient pattern that further makes this species so attractive.

While being a very peaceful species, the Royal Gramma Basslet should be kept only as a single specimen within an aquarium environment. They are aggressive towards their own species, due to their territorial nature towards their own kind. While it is recommended to keep this species in a 30-gallon or larger aquarium, they can be housed properly in smaller nano reef aquarium, assuming proper live rock and filtration / water changes are present.

Because the Royal Gramma Basslet is a deep-water dweller, it prefers caves and extensive rockwork, as well as a somewhat subdued lighting arrangement; however, with extensive live rock and caves this species can also do very well in brightly lit reef aquariums. The only species not suitable to be kept with Royal Grammas are others of its own kind and aggressive species capable of eating it such as groupers, lionfish etc. The Royal Gramma is a very hardy aquarium species that is right at home in both community and reef aquariums.

The Royal Gramma Basslet is a very hardy carnivore that will adapt quickly to feeding on meaty foods within the aquarium environment. Any meaty foods such as quality marine flack, mysid shrimp, quality frozen foods, marine fish & crustacean flesh etc. will be readily consumed. As with most species, a varied diet of marine foodstuffs will provide the Royal Gramma with a balanced diet.