Fish o’ the day | Green Chromis

Posted by gerard on October 31, 2008 under Saltwater Fish | Be the First to Comment

The Green Chromis or the Blue Green Chromis, Chromis viridis, is a species of damselfish. Individuals tend to be iridescent apple-green and light blue, and reach a length of about 3 in (8 cm).

The species is found in the Indo-Pacific. They live in large aggregations above Acropora corals in sheltered areas such as lagoons and reef flats and feed on phytoplankton. Juveniles live closely tied to individual coral heads.

C. viridis spawn over sand and rubble. The male prepares the nest which is shared with several females. The large number of eggs will hatch in 2-3 days. The male guards the nest, ventilating it with its fins and feeding on those eggs that do not hatch.
In a marine aquarium, schools should be kept in small groups of odd numbers. The Green Chromis is often considered an ideal starter fish for the saltwater aquarium novice and is a peaceful and hardy species.

The Green Chromis should not be housed with larger predatory fish, as they may become food themselves. Groupers, lionfish, and eels all present an element of danger for this peaceful species.

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