Purple Firefish or Royal Gramma

I would like to get some opinions from the experts and from the people who own these two fish which they would recommend. They are both beautiful fish but I must choose one to be the last fish in my tank.

Which one should I choose?

 

I have a firefish, it is beautiful but a skittish fish. if you have anything aggressive the firefish is a no no! Mine has jumped out of my tank once and I have heard it hit the eddcrate a few times but I do think it is an interesting creature. my favourite is the yellow jawfish, now that's an interesting creature to watch.

 

I too will keep an eye on this thread because I am interesed in a Royal Gramma. They are so colorful.

 

I have a Gramma and a Red Fire Fish, my Gramma hides out more then the Fire Fish does. I have heard that the Fire Fish are more likely to jump

 

So your royal stays in the rock a lot?

 

I had a Royal Gramma it was active but not as much as the other fish. It usually ate last after the other fish, he seemed to be non agressive and didn't eat much. I liked the colors and it was a fish my gf liked so I got it for her. I think the colors spursed the tank up a little as well. I personally wouldn't get the fire as I have heard many people talk about them jumping. I dont like jumpers.

 

Both are very skiddish and have the reputation of jumping out of the tank. Both are fairly easy to keep with regards to husbandry. As Nemo79 pointed out, you don't want aggressive fish in with them, also offer many hiding places for them to retreat to! I personally would go with the Royal Gramma because of the coloration!

 

I have both. Firefish will not swim around a tank. They will usually find a comfortable hiding spot to dive into when they have to and won't venture far from it.

I have what I believe to be a mated pair in a 180 with various other fish and they are never seen except for feeding time. Much too skittish. I have another in a tank with a coral beauty and six line wrasse and it stays out in the open, but again doesn't move far and will disappear with any movement near the tank.

Royal gramma will also find a comfortable spot to hide in but they will at least roam around the tank and explore a little bit. Royal gramma I have is kept with a trigger, cowfish and a dottyback with no issues thus far.

Why can't you have both? Tank too small or on the edge of being overloaded?

Good luck.

 

Hmmmm, lots of good feedback. Both of these fish are very cool looking and colorful. If the fish just hides all day and is too skittish then it defeats the purpose since I will never see it to enjoy it!

I have the a large part of the top of my tank covered with eggcrate so I think
the jumping would not be a big problem.

JustPhish: I can't have both because I think I would be pushing my tank load. Currently, I have around 20" of fish (when full grown) in my 55 gallon w/ a 20 gallon sump.

 

VT, I have a RG that I inherited from my galfriend's 90. It hid for a long time as I have several tangs and a bluethroat trigger in my 150. Now it definitely has it's hiding spot but does come out and is fairly active even with the larger fish.
I think either the RG or the Fire fish will work in your tank. Just a personal preference that's up to you.
Scott