Showoff Your.... Chromis?

[SAWFISH]

It seems like everybody, has a chromis but there are no chromis show off threads? What is with that! I even searched the website and couldn't find anything, so I made this thread for all those who want to show off their chromis. We acknowledge that sometimes these fish can be mean devils, but we appreciate them nonetheless

Here is a picture of my school of 5 chromis swimming around the single coral in my tank. They are still pretty young but have been growing quite quickly, with three feedings a day. Aggression has slowly been increasing but it is not terrible, at least not yet.

 

[Haydn]

Good idea I like Chromis a very underrated family

And they make a good mixed group of fish

Don't try a group of these they just don't mix

 

[SAWFISH]

Good idea I like Chromis a very underrated family

And they make a good mixed group of fish

Don't try a group of these they just don't mix

What species are the first two pictures and the last pictures. Idk that I have ever seen any those species, but they look awesome. Also awesome looking tank, how many gallons is it?

 

[Haydn]

What species are the first two pictures and the last pictures. Idk that I have ever seen any those species, but they look awesome. Also awesome looking tank, how many gallons is it?

The first picture is Chromis Vandervelt, second is C. retrofaciatus. the last is C.nitida- pretty but nasty with each other.

2500litres= 660 US gallons. That incarnation of the tank was taken down and rebuilt as a fish only.

 

[burningmime]

Don't try a group of these they just don't mix

I read somewhere that Chromis only really get into arguments with each other if there's nothing meaner around, but will school together if they feel threatened. Is that not true with the Nitida species, or do the Nitidas gang up on other Chromis?

 

[Haydn]

I read somewhere that Chromis only really get into arguments with each other if there's nothing meaner around, but will school together if they feel threatened. Is that not true with the Nitida species, or do the Nitidas gang up on other Chromis?

I bought a group of 10 nitida, all about 1" to 1.5" and as you can from the photo, they lived happy and peacefully until they got to just over 2" (I assume, became adults). Then WW3 broke out in the tank! They just fought to the death- one on one, group on one, I didn't have one without shredded fins and chunks missing on the body. The last one standing also died of it's injuries.

They never bothered any other fish, they just wouldn't tolerate another Nitida in the tank.

 

[SteveG_inDC]

I want to hear more stories about in-group aggression (or non-aggression) when keeping them in groups. I'd like to get a group as my first fishes in a 240 gallon build I'm starting but I don't want to watch them tear each other apart. How large a group? Should I intentionally add a different species to keep them distracted? My other fish will be smaller ones (gobies/firefish/jawfish, cardinals), anthias and then later the tangs and possibly an angel.

 

[Haydn]

I want to hear more stories about in-group aggression (or non-aggression) when keeping them in groups. I'd like to get a group as my first fishes in a 240 gallon build I'm starting but I don't want to watch them tear each other apart. How large a group? Should I intentionally add a different species to keep them distracted? My other fish will be smaller ones (gobies/firefish/jawfish, cardinals), anthias and then later the tangs and possibly an angel.

Which species? Currently I think there are about 100 species recognised in the Chromis genus.

 

[SAWFISH]

I want to hear more stories about in-group aggression (or non-aggression) when keeping them in groups. I'd like to get a group as my first fishes in a 240 gallon build I'm starting but I don't want to watch them tear each other apart. How large a group? Should I intentionally add a different species to keep them distracted? My other fish will be smaller ones (gobies/firefish/jawfish, cardinals), anthias and then later the tangs and possibly an angel.

The group I had was originally 7 and 2 died in the first four weeks. I attribute the deaths to an amount of aggression. Since the two initial deaths I increased the flow in my tank significantly so that the chromis have to fight against the flow, that seemed to help aggression a little bit. Additionally I started feeding a decent amount of food 3 times a day. In my case the biggest issue was that the smallest chromis were getting out competed for the food. By feeding large amounts daily I ensure all the fish get some food and have the strength to handle aggression. I also think multiple feedings helped decrease aggression and is also a more realistic to the way chromis would feed in the wild

 

[SteveG_inDC]

Which species? Currently I think there are about 100 species recognised in the Chromis genus.

Chromis viridis is probably most common. Atlantic blue reef chromis also popular in home aquaria.

 

[sfin52]

 

[Haydn]

Chromis viridis is probably most common....

With the new species of fish being identified as 'green' chromis that may not be true

 

[SAWFISH]

Nice trio of fish. How long have you had them?

 

[sfin52]

@

Nice trio of fish. How long have you had them?

Thank you.
I started with 5. My maroon clown killed 2 of them. I have had these three since 2015. I have a few clutches of eggs laid during that time.

 

[SAWFISH]

@
Thank you.
I started with 5. My maroon clown killed 2 of them. I have had these three since 2015. I have a few clutches of eggs laid during that time.

That is pretty cool, did you try and raise any of them? How often do they lay eggs? Are there only the two dominant chromis involved in the egg laying process or are they all involved?

 

[sfin52]

That is pretty cool, did you try and raise any of them? How often do they lay eggs? Are there only the two dominant chromis involved in the egg laying process or are they all involved?

Yes only the two dominant ones. Ive seen it a few times they lay the eggs on the side of the glass and they dont last long everything picks them off.

 

[lemonade]

One of my favorite reef fish, Blue Chromis

 

[SAWFISH]

Yes only the two dominant ones. Ive seen it a few times they lay the eggs on the side of the glass and they dont last long everything picks them off.

That is interesting, do they not protect the eggs, like pairs of clownfish do?

 

[SAWFISH]

One of my favorite reef fish, Blue Chromis

Awesome fish, I have always wanted to get some of the blue chromis. This is a great picture I really like the back drop with the red and green corals and the bright blue fish right in the center!

Thank you to everyone who has posted pics so far!

 

[boacvh]

My 2 chromis. The blue one is the tank bully