Blue Reef Chromis

[PhilMStudy]

I keep going back and forth on what my next fish will be, I currently have: 75g rectangle with 40g

1 x Midas Blenny
1 x court jester
1 x blood orange
1 x clown (he and his paramour get a long well)
1 x cleaner shrimp
Standard cuc

I want to add blue reef chromis both for their pop of color and their activity. Thinking of placing an order for 5. One 2-3” specimen and then the rest in the under 1.5” range. Natural ring leader so to speak... am I way off here? Is that too many to add?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I keep going back and forth on what my next fish will be, I currently have: 75g rectangle with 40g

1 x Midas Blenny
1 x court jester
1 x blood orange
1 x clown (he and his paramour get a long well)
1 x cleaner shrimp
Standard cuc

I want to add blue reef chromis both for their pop of color and their activity. Thinking of placing an order for 5. One 2-3” specimen and then the rest in the under 1.5” range. Natural ring leader so to speak... am I way off here? Is that too many to add?

Personally, I'm not a big fan of that species. They get large (~4.5") they often lose the bright blue color and turn dark. They also don't live well in groups in aquariums long term - they tend to fight and then bump each other off.

Green chromis on the other hand are currently coming in with a high rate of Uronema infection, and that can't be treated, so my advice is to stay away from those as well.

Jay

 

[vetteguy53081]

When I saw the title, before I even responded, I saw post from @Jay Hemdal and could not agree more. Right now, there is NO win-win with chromis. Consider sapphire blue damsel also colorful blue

 

[ProfessorX]

Collection plays a critical role in the survival of the blue reef chromis IME. Water flow and hiding spots plays a critical role in how quickly they will disband from a school and turn into bullies amongst themselves.

unpopular opinion: yellow tail blue damsels are my favorite alternative. Great blue, dash of electric yellow, stay small, not aggressive to larger fish, and can live in small groups

 

[PatW]

I have one in my tank. They are a dark blue. They can get pretty big. Mine has not been aggressive and is pretty hardy.