False Gamma??

watertight

watertight

Member
My wife has found a fish she likes, the lfs near here has one, it is labelled as a false gamma. It is only 2-3 inches long, with a pink head and yellow tail, kinda looks like it's been held by the tail and dipped into pink paint, head first! I was trying to look it up but I'm not having much luck, maybe it has a different name? I was just wondering if anyone knows anything about them, how easy to keep they are, if they're compatible with other fish, etc...
My lfs assures me they are easy to keep, and are ok if you only have one, but I don't trust too many LFS's any more :notsure:
 
madman133

madman133

Member
Does it look like this? If so its a royal Gramma also called fairy basslet
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 3"
Color Form: Purple, Bright Yellow
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean
Family: Grammidae
The most coveted of the basslets, the Royal Gramma Basslet or Fairy Basslet is beautiful. The front half of its body and head are a bright purple to violet, while the back half is a striking and vibrant yellow. It is an excellent choice for a reef aquarium, and since it remains small, is perfect for small reef systems.
A single specimen should be housed in a minimum of a 30 gallon tank. They are aggressive towards their own species, and should be housed singly. Because the Royal Gramma Basslet is a deep-water dweller, it prefers caves and extensive rockwork, as well as a somewhat subdued lighting arrangement.
As a carnivore, the Royal Gramma Basslet will do well on a diet of meaty fare including marine fish, crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, and quality frozen preparations.
 
madman133

madman133

Member
ok i think i got it a false gamma is the same as a royal dottyback(im pretty sure at least) Tell me if this looks anything like it
 
madman133

madman133

Member
Originally Posted by Madman133
ok i think i got it a false gamma is the same as a royal dottyback(im pretty sure at least) Tell me if this looks anything like it
also called bicolor psuedichromis
Quick Stats
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Tank Conditions: 72-78°F; sg 1.020-1.025; pH 8.1-8.4; dKH 8-12
Max. Size In Aquarium: Up to 3"
Color Form: Bright Yellow, Purple
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Pseudochromidae
The Bicolor Pseudochromis, also called the Bicolor Dottyback or Royal Dottyback, is two bold colors; the anterior portion is purple and the posterior portion is bright yellow.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium should be provided. The Bicolor Pseudochromis will not be intimidated by other fish and will defend its territory against fish two to three times its size. It will also eat ornamental shrimp and is a predator of nuisance bristleworms.
The diet should consist of meaty foods including brine shrimp and prepared frozen foods.
 
watertight

watertight

Member
Yep, that's what it is, I mean was! I got it last night, introduced it to the tank, went to bed, when I got up this morning we couldn't find it anywhere. Out came the torch and we are searching under all the liverock when we see 2 crabs eating it :mad:
Both crabs dissappeared up into the rock, which was only a small peice, so in my rage I picked up the rock and semi submerged it in fresh water till the 2 crabs dropped out of it. Then I crushed them both to a pulp and fed them to the damsel that's been in the tank all along. Kinda like the ultimate revenge I guess!
Just hope I haven't damaged the liverock too much, but at least I got the 2 crabs. 1 bigger 1 smaller, both had hairy legs. Now I need to read up on crab species to determine which ones are good and which are bad lol.
 
madman133

madman133

Member
did you buy the crabs or were they hitchhikers? Thats too bad it didnt even last one night. :( MAybe you can get another one for your wife and hopefully it makes it.
 
watertight

watertight

Member
The crab was a hitch hiker, I knew it was there, but it's never bothered my damsel - unless the fish died of other causes, but I'm pretty certain the crab killed it. My LFS told me that any crab with hairy legs is bad, would that be true?
I'll get another gamma for the wife, but my LFS is getting some occelatus clowns in on the weekend, and may have a mated pair, which is what I really want, so I might get them and wait a bit on the gamma. I actually like the sound of the first one you showed me, so I'll just sit back and see what happens I guess. Thanks for the replies
 
cowfishrule

cowfishrule

Active Member
Originally Posted by watertight
so in my rage I picked up the rock and semi submerged it in fresh water till the 2 crabs dropped out of it. Then I crushed them both to a pulp and fed them to the damsel that's been in the tank all along. Kinda like the ultimate revenge I guess!
Just hope I haven't damaged the liverock too much, but at least I got the 2 crabs. 1 bigger 1 smaller, both had hairy legs.
its shame... you had a good effective cleaning crew that you just obliverated.
your gramma didnt die from the crabs, but rather something else.
 
bluegirl

bluegirl

Member
I have a bicolor chromis aka psuedochromis (yellow with purply-pink stripe on head that runs down the back) in my tank with a ocellaris clown, and a skunk cleaner shrimp. It doesn't act aggressive toward my clown and the clown was put in after he was. They ignore each other and my crabs don't bother anything. I haven't noticed a decrease in my bristleworm population either. :happyfish
 
watertight

watertight

Member
Originally Posted by COWFISHRULE
its shame... you had a good effective cleaning crew that you just obliverated.
your gramma didnt die from the crabs, but rather something else.
Yep, You know You're probably right, I actually felt a bit guilty afterwards, but I acted on the advice of my LFS, which told me that if I had a crab with hairs on it it was bad and should get rid of it. But the more I think about it the more I come up with the question "Why haven't they killed the damsel yet?" Anyway, too late worrying about it now I suppose. We live and learn...
 
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