Neurotic Royal Gramma?

garshejor · #1 11/09/2006, 10:22 AM

I just bought a royal gramma 2 days ago and he has been hanging out in the upper corner of the tank upside down. He was very active in the store, and has good coloration. No external signs of disease. When it's feeding time, he eats a lot, then goes back to the upside down position. Is this a royal gramma thing? Do they do this for a while when put into a new environment? OR, if it is a possible swim bladder problem, should I give him a medicine dip? THANKS

LRS078 · #2 11/10/2006, 02:21 AM

I wont say this often but "that is just weird"....

I've heard of similar things when a puffer or even angler gulps a bunch of air. Never heard of it with a RG. Any weird acclimation or QT occurances? Water parameters? Does it change during the 24 hour cycle (day/night, lights on/dark, feeding time only, etc)

I'll ask petstorejunkie and see what she says. I'll let you know what her input is...

OoNickoC · #3 11/10/2006, 04:27 AM

ive seen them behave in similar fashions, I think its a "crevice" behaior. May reflect the nich it came from and still thinks it had to hide under a ledge.....just my theory.

garshejor · #4 11/10/2006, 10:59 AM

It is getting better, still hanging upside down but not as much as before. Maybe it is just getting used to its nwe surroundings. Thanks for the input.

LRS078 · #5 11/10/2006, 11:53 PM

Per petstorejunkie he probably swallowed an air bubble. If it got a big gulp/swallow of air when it was being bagged up in the store that could do it. Usually the air will pass on its own. Keep us posted....

OoNickoC · #6 11/11/2006, 01:24 AM

Highly unlikley, he would have obvious other signs, stress related and most apparent would be a very erratic swiming pattern while eating....almost like an A. polymnus (saddleback clown).

Torno · #7 11/11/2006, 12:15 PM

I've read that it is not uncommon for royal grammas to swim like this.

Source: Mike Palettas "The New Marine Aquarium"

I like Triggers · #8 11/11/2006, 01:20 PM

Hanging out upside down is normal behavior for a gramma. What kind of fish is it in with. Most new fish either run to the rocks or hang out at the surface.

phatsonate · #9 11/12/2006, 04:24 AM

Yeah, this is normal for royal grammas. They are found positioned upside down in caves in their natural habitat. Don't medicine dip it- you are more likely to kill it that way.

OoNickoC · #10 11/12/2006, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by OoNickoC
Highly unlikley, he would have obvious other signs, stress related and most apparent would be a very erratic swiming pattern while eating....almost like an A. polymnus (saddleback clown).