Facts: The Royal Gramma

The royal grama is a colorful fish that inhabits the western Atlantic Ocean from Florida to northern South America and the Caribbean Sea. They are generally found on coral reefs, under ledges, and in caves where they might be seen swimming upside down. They always keep close to a shelter. They can form aggregations of 10 to 100 individuals. These fish are most common at depths of 3 to 100 ft deep. They usually occupy the same feeding sites for several months. A royal grama will feed on organisms like crustaceans, and they occasionally serve as a cleaner for other fish by feeding off of their parasites. A female royal grama will lay her eggs in a small hole or crevice that a male has prepared with a nest lined with algae. Males are larger than females and they tend to the eggs. They keep the nest clean and chase away other species. The eggs hatch in about 10 days. A royal grama can grow to about 3 inches long. Some of their predators include trumpetfish, lionfish, and tiger groupers. Royal gramas are common in aquariums. They are able to be bred in captivity, so extraction from the wild has declined. For more marine facts, click the SUBSCRIBE button!!