Description
False Gramma (Pictichromis paccagnellae / Royal Dottyback)
A small but bold marine fish, the False Gramma is known for its vibrant purple front half blending into a bright yellow rear, creating a striking two-tone appearance. Despite its size, it has a strong personality and adds a vivid splash of colour to reef and community aquariums.
Compatibility:
Semi-aggressive. Best kept with other robust or similarly sized species such as clownfish, wrasses, gobies, and small tangs. Can be territorial, especially in smaller aquariums or with similar-shaped fish.
Reef Compatibility:
Reef-safe with caution. Generally safe with corals, but may show aggression toward small, timid fish or other dottybacks.
Diet:
Carnivore – feeds on small meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, chopped seafood, and quality marine pellets. Feed 1–2 times daily for best condition and colour.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature: 24–27°C
- Salinity: 1.023–1.026 SG
- pH: 8.1–8.4
- Minimum Tank Size: 60–80L
Care Level:
Easy to Moderate – hardy once acclimated, but can be territorial. Requires rockwork for shelter and defined territories.
Top Tip:
Provide plenty of rock caves and crevices to reduce aggression. Avoid keeping multiple dottybacks in smaller tanks unless well established with clear territories.
Click & Collect
Livestock will only be bagged once you arrive, or if you contact us in advance to request it ready beforehand.
Local Delivery
Order anything from our in-store range and have it delivered right to you.
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Minimum spend: £50
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Delivery from £15 - £30
- Range 0-25 miles from store
Distances are measured “as the crow flies”, not by road.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to arrange a suitable delivery date and time.
Please note, delivery may take a little longer as we often group orders together to build an efficient delivery run.
Important: If you’re ordering a large aquarium, please ensure someone is available to help unload the van on arrival.
Dry Goods Delivery
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DX Express: 1 working day, same-day dispatch before noon 0-75kg
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Express Pallet: 1–3 working days 75-500kg
If you'd like to add more items to an existing order that hasn't yet been dispatched, please place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to combine the orders.
Please note: We currently only dispatch parcels Wednesday to Friday.
Pre-Order
Want the full details? Check out our Terms & Conditions.
Livestock Delivery
Thursday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Wednesday afternoon
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Delivered Thursday before 1pm
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Order by Wednesday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Friday Delivery – £24
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Dispatched Thursday afternoon
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Delivered Friday before 1pm
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Order by Thursday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
Saturday Delivery – £29
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Dispatched Friday afternoon
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Delivered Saturday before 1pm
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Order by Friday 12 noon
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Minimum spend: £50
📦 Want to Add to an Existing Order?
No problem! Just place a Click & Collect order and leave a note asking us to link it with your original one (as long as it hasn’t been dispatched yet).
🛒 Dry Goods Now Included!
You can now include dry goods in your livestock delivery – perfect for topping up supplies in one go.
❄️ Please note: We can’t send frozen food with livestock – please order frozen items separately.
⚠️ Delivery Exclusions
Unfortunately, we’re unable to deliver livestock to the following postcodes:
Scotland & Isles:
AB30–AB56, DD8–DD10, DG3–DG9, DG12–DG14, FK17–FK21, KA18–KA19, KA26–KA30, PA20–PA38, PA80, PH3–PH40
Cornwall Isles: TR21–TR25
All of the following postcodes are excluded:
BT, HS, IM, IV, JE, KW
Plus Channel Islands and Shetland Islands
Payment & Security
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