Do Royal Grammas hide all day

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axonix
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:31 pm

Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by axonix »

Just got a Royal Gramma a week ago, and it's been hiding in the rocks almost nonstop. Is this normal behavior? Tank's a 40 gallon breeder, params are stable, 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 10 nitrate, salinity at 1.025. Only tankmates are a pair of Ocellaris Clowns and a Cleaner Shrimp.
martynR
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:26 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by martynR »

Yep, Royal Grammas are kinda shy at first. Mine took like two weeks to come out regularly. As long as your water's good and there's no aggression from the Clowns, it'll chill out eventually. What's your lighting schedule like? Too bright might spook it.
Dale
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 9:15 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by Dale »

Mine did the same thing. Took about 10 days before it started venturing out. Now it's out all the time, even during feeding. Try turning down the lights or adding more rockwork for cover. They're big on feeling secure.
dawny
Posts: 18
Joined: Fri Mar 29, 2024 10:40 am

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by dawny »

martynR wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 4:52 pm Yep, Royal Grammas are kinda shy at first. Mine took like two weeks to come out regularly. As long as your water's good and there's no aggression from the Clowns, it'll chill out eventually. What's your lighting schedule like? Too bright might spook it.
Agree with this. Mine hid for ages, then one day it just decided the tank was its kingdom. How often are you feeding? Sometimes they come out for food even if they're shy.
galaxion
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:34 am

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by galaxion »

Dude, my Gramma was a total recluse for the first month. Now it's the boss of the tank. Give it time, and maybe toss in some extra caves. They're weird like that.
friendzone
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:08 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by friendzone »

Mine hid for a solid three weeks before it got comfortable. Now it's out all the time, even during water changes. What's your flow like? Too much current might make it stay hidden.
Riveria9
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 5:12 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by Riveria9 »

Grammas are just like that. Mine took forever to come out. Now it's always front and center. Patience is key.
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creekrow
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon May 30, 2022 7:04 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by creekrow »

It's normal behavior. Royal Grammas are naturally cryptic fish. As long as it's eating when you feed, I wouldn't worry. What's the temperature in the tank? Stable temps help reduce stress.
axonix
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 7:31 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by axonix »

Thanks for the reassurance, everyone. I'll give it more time and maybe tweak the lighting. Appreciate the advice!
martynR
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2024 3:26 pm

Re: Do Royal Grammas hide all day

Post by martynR »

axonix wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 11:20 pm Thanks for the reassurance, everyone. I'll give it more time and maybe tweak the lighting. Appreciate the advice!
No prob. Keep us posted. Also, try feeding right near its hiding spot to build confidence.
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