The Royal Gramma (Gramma loreto), also known as the Fairy Basslet, is a species of fish in the family Grammatidae native to reef environments of the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. It is one of the most popular and commonly kept marine aquarium fish.

Distribution and Habitat

The Royal Gramma is native to the tropical western Atlantic Ocean. Its natural range covers the Bahamas, Venezuela, Antilles, Bermuda, and through the waters surrounding Central America and the northern part of South America. It tends to swim near the bottom with a depth range between 1 and 20 meters.

Physical Description

The Royal Gramma is relatively small averaging slightly over 8 cm (3.1 in) in length. The fish can be a light purple to a deep violet starting at the head which fades mid-body to a golden yellow at the tail. There is a small black spot on the front of the dorsal fin and a black line that streaks through the eye. It has been tank bred in captivity.

Diet and Feeding

The Royal Gramma is a planktivore eating mostly zooplankton and crustaceans. It is also a cleaner fish that removes ectoparasites from other fish. In captivity it readily accepts frozen and meaty foods such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp. Rotating foods is recommended to prevent them from becoming picky.

Behavior and Reproduction

The Royal Gramma is generally peaceful but can become aggressive towards tankmates in smaller tanks. They stake out territories throughout rocks and crevices and choose favorite hiding places. When startled they dart back into their holes. The Royal Gramma tends to orient itself to be parallel with the surface to which it is closest, resulting in the fish swimming straight up and down or sometimes upside down beneath ledges. In breeding the male builds a nest and the female deposits 20-100 eggs.

Aquarium Care

Due to their relatively peaceful nature diet and small size the Royal Gramma is considered an ideal inhabitant for most reef aquaria. The minimum suggested tank size is 30 gallons with the tank not receiving sharp lighting. The ideal water temperature should range between 72 and 78 F and the pH between 8.1 and 8.4. They are generally kept singly or in pairs though small groups can be kept in larger tanks with enough crevices for each fish to have its own territory.

Conservation Status

Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.