Royal gramma

The royal gramma is a small, brilliantly colored marine basslet of the family Grammatidae, native to the reefs and caves of the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean. Its body is split diagonally between a vivid magenta-purple front half and a golden-yellow rear, with a small dark spot on the dorsal fin. It is a generally peaceful fish but strongly territorial around its chosen cave or overhang, where it hovers upside-down against the ceiling. Males and females look alike, and it is best kept singly unless a very large tank allows a bonded pair. It coexits well with most peaceful reef community fish but will defend its refuge from intruders. A reef-safe species, it thrives in an aquarium with plenty of live rock and dark crevices to retreat into. It accepts a varied carnivorous diet of frozen mysis, brine shrimp, and prepared marine foods. Cave-brooding spawning has been achieved in captivity, with the male guarding the eggs.