All fish / Grammatidae

Brazilian Gramma

Gramma brasiliensis

Also known as brazilian royal gramma, brazilian basslet, royal gramma brazil, brasiliensis gramma, brazil gramma, ブラジリアンロイヤルグラマ, 巴西皇家丝鲈

This small basslet looks very like the Caribbean royal gramma, with a violet front half fading into yellow behind, though the colour change is more gradual and it lacks the dark eyespot on the dorsal fin. It is hardy, reef safe and full of character, so it suits community reef tanks well.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

23 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a pair in larger tanks; several only in a big aquarium with plenty of caves

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western South Atlantic: coast of Brazil, including offshore islands

Breeding

Males build nests from algae and debris inside caves, then guard the eggs until they hatch after about a week. Spawning happens fairly readily in aquariums, but raising the tiny larvae needs live rotifers and copepods and is difficult.

Good to know

It defends its chosen cave and may quarrel with other grammas or similar dottybacks, so give plenty of rockwork. Brazil restricts export of some reef fish, so check the source and legality before buying.