Purple Pseudochromis VS Royal Gramma

[faerykisses]

Hello All!!

Just a question adding a new fish to my tank. I recently bought a purple pseudo chromis (impulse buy, I know I know...my boyfriend is never allowed to go to LFS with me again! ). The pseudochromis was gorgeous, a beautiful color and we thought he would be a vibrant visual add to the tank. He acclimated well and actually was not shy when he was first in the tank. After a while I noticed he started bullying my red firefish, who is the sweetest, most non-aggressive fish in the tank. The pseudochromis immediatly took over the cave that the firefish sleeps in. Then, while doing some internet research on our new fish, I saw out of the corner of my eye, my coral banded shrimp acting funny. Upon inspection I realized he had gone over the the pseudochromis side of the tank, and they were about to battle!! My shrimp was puffed up and ready to go and the pseudochromis was just as aggressive, making advances at my shrimp. It was that and a little research online that made me decide 1 day after having this fish that he had to go back.

So yesterday after work, I netted him and took him back LFS and told them he wasn't going to work out and that I wanted a Royal Gramma instead (which was the fish I wanted anyway...my boyfriend wanted pseudochromis....he won). The guy at the LFS told me that Royal Grammas are just as aggressive as the pseudochromis, and that their wouldn't be much of a difference. This of course, was completely different than what I read online aobut Royal Grammas.

My question is...would the Royal Gramma be an ok addition to what I already have? I have a very peaceful tank and I want to keep it that way. My fish are all friends and my scissortail goby and banded goby sleep next to eachother in the same cave. My shrimp is now paranoid of the other fish, he never was before, but he just can't seem to forget that pseudochromis that attacked him

current fish list:

1 coral banded shrimp

1 scissortail goby

1 banded goby

1 red firefish

1 black spiny sea urchin

1 royal pushpin urchin

2 feather dusters

various snails/hermit crabs

My tank is 55 gallons and has been set up since the end of October. We have a crushed coral/ sand mix and about 60 lbs of live rock.

Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

[TCTFish]

You're going to get reactions like that upon introductions of new fish. The newbie has to knock at everyone's door looking for a space of his own without having to fight for it. If he needs to fight, he'll do so. Usually nothing dramatic and rarely do any significant injuries occur. This behavior generally chills out after everyone is done inspecting the newbie and the newbie is settled into his own spot. Pseudos and grammas typically are like that with each other more so than with other fish. But that doesn't go to say that there are more fiestier individuals that cause problems otherwise...LOL.

One of my favorite fish is the black capped basslet...also a gramma type. They're not as bad temperament wise and are equally beautiful fish. They do cost more because they are a deep reef fish so if you choose a black capped basslet, make sure there are plenty of areas in the tank he can stray away from any intense lighting.

[faerykisses]

Well, I am probablly going to pick up my Royal Gramma on Friday.

Anyone else have any opnions on this topic?

[Lagger]

I think you'll be OK picking up the Royal, and they have the same color scheme. The gramma can be territorial as well, but not nearly as much or aggressive as the psuedo. They are some mean little fish! Good luck with the new aqusition.

[TCTFish]

Tips for ease of introduction....

Turn off the lights, give a bit of food to serve as a distraction for the other fish and let him go

[faerykisses]

thanks guys. I really appreciate it!