Ga Ga For Grammas (Royal Gramma Biotope System)  7/7/09
Hello Crew,
<Hey there! Scott F. your Crew member today!>
I am in the process of setting up a 29g reef, which has been built, but not yet stocked pending the conclusion of my research.
<Good heavens- you're RESEARCHING before setting a system up? This is really great to see/hear. So many problems can be eliminated with a little time spent researching. Good for you!>
I want to showcase Condylactis anemones (only one type, hopefully the gigantea), and my wife is interested in a Royal Gramma.
<One of my all-time favorite fishes!>
That led me to focus on a
Caribbean biotope, having read Tullock's and Mr Fenner's books, as well as Reef Invertebrates by Mr Fenner and Mr Calfo.
<Excellent references all!>
I am leaning toward
the shallow side of a fore reef, with a 2x65w Coralife fixture, an Aqua C Remora skimmer, and dual returns routed from a SCWD that should result in a total flow rate of around 300-350gph after accounting for head loss and the head pressure of the SCWD. The tank has been drilled and has a 1" Durso installed.
<Know the man- love his standpipes!>
I have around 25lbs of well established Fiji rock (can't get Gulf rock locally), another 25lbs of well established base rock, and 40+ pounds of live sand. I anticipate about a 4" sand depth in the display, with a 20g long being used for the sump.
<Sounds good so far. If you're thinking about the whole biotope idea, do consider building up a rock overhang under which your Royal Gramma can hang out in a natural fashion This is a really interesting biotope. In fact, I'll be in the Caribbean next week, and hope to be visiting my pals the Grammas in their natural environment!.>
Other species I am considering include 3-5 peppermint shrimp, a few Astraea and turbo snails, and a pair of Atlantic cleaner shrimp (actually, Lysmata amboinensis, as I can't get the Atlantic version locally). I would want to place the anemone or anemones in first to let them settle a bit, as I anticipate them wandering a bit more at first. I only plan on keeping one Royal Gramma. I don't think a second fish is a good idea in a tank this size, unless you think there's a practical option.
<I would generally not attempt adding more than one in an aquarium of this size. Perhaps a few Neon Gobies might fit in nicely and add to the interest of this biotope, but that's about it. If this were a larger system, I'd definitely create an aggregation of Grammas, and perhaps a few other fishes>
I've looked around the site, but haven't found info on this specific setup...any advice?
Stan
<Well, Stan, I think that you are on the right track. As an obsessed by biotope geek myself, I really think that this is a great way to highlight and learn more about animals that you are interested in. Fishes and inverts in a system that attempts to replicate the natural environment will display more natural behaviors and colors, as well as possibly engage in spawning behavior. And, biotope systems are highly educational to both hobbyists and non-hobbyists alike. They are truly unique displays that can provide a new dimension of enjoyment to your hobby. Best of luck! Regards,
Scott F.>

Re: Condy anemone/royal gramma biotope
Stocking a Royal Gramma Biotope 7/8/09
Scott,
<Hey Stan>
Since you're headed that way, can you suggest a few names of likely Royal Gramma habitats in the Caribbean? I know they are prolific, but I am hoping to find some biotope pictures online, and it seems the best way to research biotopes is by looking at tourist-oriented websites, especially for deep sea diving locations.
<Excellent thought. The tourist and dive sites are a great source of biotope information and usually have great photos as well! I would look for information from The Bahamas, Venezuela, the Lesser Antilles, and other outlying parts of the Caribbean. I hope to see some in Grand Cayman and Isla Roatan, but that might be wishful thinking. They seem to be very commonly encountered in Bimini in the Bahamas, so checking out dive sites for this area could be fruitful. Check the sites for dive operators in the other areas mentioned, too, and www.fishbase.org for specific type localities and other great information!>
Also, I hear the C. gigantea species can top out at 12 inches. I anticipate not having any corals or sessile inverts in the tank, but will this anemone's size be a problem?
<In the size of aquarium that you are contemplating, this species could be a problem. I'd be more inclined to consider smaller, hardier, more abundant "Rock Anemones", such as Phymanthus or the "Corkscrew Anemones", Bartholomea species. Although it would be cheating a bit, as these species are generally not found in the same environment as the Grammas, these would probably fare better in a system of this size. To be honest, I would pass on an anemone altogether in the biotope, as they are generally not found in super close proximity to the Grammas in nature. I would be much more inclined to utilize Gorgonians, or even (artificial!) sponges and encrusting soft corals (versions of Sinularia, perhaps- although not found in the region, could make a suitable facsimile of the local corals, if desired.). Passing on the anemone would create a more faithful/functional/sustainable reproduction of the biotope, IMHO. You should consider planting some calcareous macroalgae, such as Halimeda, in the rocks.>
As the focal point of the tank, I am okay with it filling the tank...
<Umm...consider the options above.>
Lastly (though I know better), any chance of an Arrow Crab working in this size aquarium with a Royal Gramma? I am under the belief that sooner or later every snail, shrimp, or fish would be lunch at some point in a tank this size (29g). I just think they are cool, so I like to ask around.
<I, too, have always loved the Arrow Crab, but I'm a bit leery of them at the larger sizes. Although better known for eating polychaetes like bristle worms, they do tend to develop more "cosmopolitan" tastes in the confines of an aquarium, perhaps even going after more desirable life forms, such as Feather Dusters, etc. They will definitely be a threat to smaller crustaceans, such as shrimp, and could at least potentially be problematic to smaller more sessile fishes, so keep this in consideration. Although not really piscivores per se, "accidents" do happen in the aquarium. I would certainly keep a small specimen if you are inclined to have one, and keep a close eye out for potential problems in a system of this size. Best to use some of the small to medium sized shrimps instead, although not to small, as you might end up feeding your Gramma an expensive little meal! So much to consider, I know, but we just need to be mindful of the potential issues in a modest-sized system.>
Thanks again for a great site!
Stan
<My pleasure, Stan. Don't want to "rain on your parade", but I did want to give you some food for thought in regards to potential stocking issues for this aquarium. Best of luck, and keep me posted on how this system evolves!
Regards, Scott F.>

Re: Condy anemone/royal gramma biotope
Stocking a Royal Gramma Biotope (cont'd.) 7/8/09
Scott,
<Hey Stan!>
Something like this, perhaps, with my tank representing a slice of the bottom of this wall. I have some synthetic Red Sea live rock that looks very similar to the red encrusting sponges found in the Caribbean. I could use that along the corner to conceal the overflow and mimic the sloping wall. Pillars of true live rock go along the bottom, inter spaced with Halimeda. I can get gorgonians pretty readily here, and there are rock anemones brought in as hitchhikers pretty often as well. I may also attach some dried sea fans to augment the gorgonians.
<Very nice...This is a great biotope to replicate. I have often though that it would work well in one of those tall, narrow aquariums (You know- the kind that end up in the garage collecting dust for eternity, or become
terrariums..>
Final livestock plan appears as such:
1 Royal Gramma
2 Cleaner Shrimp
3-5 Peppermint Shrimp
2-3 Turbo Snails
3-5 Astrea Snails
maybe a...
<Hmm...maybe a Neon Goby or some kind of Blenny...Maybe a Jawfish, if you have deep enough sand! Keep me posted on this setup! Regards, Scott F.>