- Joined
- Sep 28, 2025
- Messages
- 1,634
- Reaction score
- 2,580
- Location
- Eastern NC
- What state or country do you live in
- North Carolina
I have a Green Reef Chromis (who is actually blue) in with Neon Dotyback, a Six-line Wrasse, a Bangaii Cardinalfish, a Cherub Angelfish, a Yellow Clown Goby and a Lawnmower Blenny.
The Chromis just swims around peacefully, but it seems that every other fish chases the Chromis a little bit, just for about 3 or 4 inches, and not constantly. Nobody ever gets hurt and the Chromis never seems afraid. He keeps going back for more, or to just hang out.
Sometimes they all congregate peacefully in one tank corner or another or a few of them, including the Chromis, will tour the tank together without incident.
I know about the tankmates being dangerous liaisons and that some are territorial. I know I'm overstocked in my 36 gallon tank (with lots of rock, though). But the universal focus on the Chromis from the others is strikingly odd. It doesn't seem to be about territory, as any one of them can give chase at any time, from anywhere in the tank. Other fish don't elicit this same response from the rest of them.
Do Chromis emit or transmit something that other fish don't like? Does the Chromis look like food, but only occasionally? Are the others jealous of the Chromis' color? Does the Chromis enjoy the sport of teasing the others somehow? I don't see anything the Chromis is doing to excite or taunt others. I know it is unnatural for Chromis to exit singly. Is it just that he wants to school and the others tell him to take a hike?
Has anyone else seen this group dynamic?
The Chromis just swims around peacefully, but it seems that every other fish chases the Chromis a little bit, just for about 3 or 4 inches, and not constantly. Nobody ever gets hurt and the Chromis never seems afraid. He keeps going back for more, or to just hang out.
Sometimes they all congregate peacefully in one tank corner or another or a few of them, including the Chromis, will tour the tank together without incident.
I know about the tankmates being dangerous liaisons and that some are territorial. I know I'm overstocked in my 36 gallon tank (with lots of rock, though). But the universal focus on the Chromis from the others is strikingly odd. It doesn't seem to be about territory, as any one of them can give chase at any time, from anywhere in the tank. Other fish don't elicit this same response from the rest of them.
Do Chromis emit or transmit something that other fish don't like? Does the Chromis look like food, but only occasionally? Are the others jealous of the Chromis' color? Does the Chromis enjoy the sport of teasing the others somehow? I don't see anything the Chromis is doing to excite or taunt others. I know it is unnatural for Chromis to exit singly. Is it just that he wants to school and the others tell him to take a hike?
Has anyone else seen this group dynamic?
