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    Basslets

    Royal gramma

    Gramma loreto

    Also sold as Fairy basslet

    Good first fish

    Care level
    Beginner
    Adult size
    7.6 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Occasionally captive-bred
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
    Show volumes in

    How do you care for the royal gramma?

    Peaceful; territorial with own kind.

    Feeding

    Carnivore.

    Mysis, brine shrimp, pellets.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

    Caves and overhangs; jumps.

    Corals and invertebrates

    None.

    Which tankmates suit the royal gramma?

    Keep alone; do not mix with royal dottyback (similar colours).

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add early, with the first peaceful fish.

    More than one royal gramma

    Keep one royal gramma: two of the same species usually fight.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Avoid together (1)

    • Royal dottybackThe royal gramma and royal dottyback share the same purple and yellow colours and fight over the same rockwork.

    Take care (3)

    • Maroon clownfishMaroon clownfish is aggressive and may bully the royal gramma, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Humbug damselHumbug damsel is aggressive and may bully the royal gramma, especially if the bully is added first.
    • Powder blue tangPowder blue tang is aggressive and may bully the royal gramma, especially if the bully is added first.
    Usually fine together (55)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (2)

    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (1)

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    Standard.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Captive-bred supply exists (ORA) but most are wild Caribbean fish.

    What does it cost in the UK?

    £36 to £42. This is one UK retailer’s listing on 21 October 2026, not a market average, and every item was sold out on that day.

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.
    3. Kraken Corals (UK retailer) catalogueRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: UK price.

    Last checked . How we check

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    Yellow assessor

    Assessor flavissimus

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    6 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo jpdandretta, CC BY 4.0