Royal Gramma Lethargic

[CCDillon]

Hey everyone, I went out of town to visit some people and decided to hit up an lfs while I was there as I don't have any where I currently live. Since my firefish passed recently of old age, I figured it was time to get another fish so I decided on a beautiful Royal Gramma.

 

I put the bag w/ fish in a Styrofoam container box and turned on AC the whole ride as it was about 95 outside during the trip. The trip was about 4 to 4 1/2 hours. The little guy made the journey and I did a quick acclimation and released him in my tank. Since then, he has been sluggish and is just chilling in a cave-like hole in the back of my tank. I used a wooden skewer I use to feed coral and gently nudged his tail to see if he was alright, I didn't get much of a response. I then used the skewer to gently nudge him in a different direction and he moved his tail but didn't move much from where he was.

 

He is def alive but clearly very stressed from the journey. Anyone have any opinions on whether or not he will make it? Since I nudged him the second time, he moved deeper in the cave but I can now see his head from the front of the tank. He does not have rapid breathing, just seemingly normal mouth and gill movements but at an uninterrupted pace, if that makes sense.

 

He was lively in store as this was a great lfs. I just don't have much experience with fish as I prefer just one fish in my tanks at all times and so I've only had 1 firefish during my entire reef keeping experience.

 

Thanks!

[4x5]

I didn't see my Royal Gramma for nearly a month when I first added him. They are really shy at first, rather don't poke him it will just cause more stress.

[GHill762]

they're shy in general and are a cave-dwelling fish.. if he's in a cave don't worry, that's where he wants to be, just give him time.

[CCDillon]

Thanks guys, I'd hate myself if it died as it took quite a bit of self-convincing to buy him as I wanted to stick with captive-bred. I doubt it will eat any time soon but I should have plenty of pods if it gets desperate enough.

[SquishyFishy]

Just caught this....mine was the same then became king of the tank...I love watching him control the clowns with his massive mouth open I'm gonna eat you posturing!

 

Just recently I added a Mandarin and he began a huge pout....now he stays under a rock and doesn't come out except at feeding....I think he resents her cuz she's prettier than he is! Patience, he'll come out and he'll even watch you at the front of your tank some day!