Information resourced and
researched from
"Tropical Marine Aquaria"
by Graham.F.Cox.
Published by Treasure Press
© The Hamlyn Publishing Group

This beautifully coloured fish of the family Grammidae was once believed to exist only in relatively deep water, below about 30 to 40 ft (9 to 12m) in the Caribbean area. However, due to the efforts of various collectors in the area, it has been found that the Royal Gramma exists in quite shallow water, 3 to 6 ft (1 to 2m), but it is very difficult to detect owing to its habit of swimming upside down in caves and under ledges. It is as if the fish feels that its abdominal region is particularly vulnerable, and it seldom swims with the ventral surface of its body more than a few millimetres away from a solid surface. It is carnivorous and in the wild probably feeds on various macroplankton, i.e., small crustaceans, larval and juvenile fishes, etc. Comments regarding feeding are the same as for the previous species.