Blue Chromis (Chromis viridis) Care Guide
One of the most popular marine fish, with a shimmering blue-green body that schools beautifully in reef tanks. Peaceful for a damselfish and one of the best starter saltwater fish.
Overview
Chromis viridis is a species in the family Pomacentridae. One of the most popular marine fish, with a shimmering blue-green body that schools beautifully in reef tanks. Peaceful for a damselfish and one of the best starter saltwater fish. Best kept in groups of 6+ in a well-established reef aquarium.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Chromis
- Scientific name: Chromis viridis
- Other names: Blue-Green Chromis
- Origin: Indo-Pacific, Red Sea
Habitat
Widely distributed across coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Line Islands and from Japan to the Great Barrier Reef. Forms large aggregations above branching Acropora corals in shallow waters down to about 12 m. One of the most commonly kept reef-aquarium damselfishes.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 120 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: moderate
- Adult size: 5-8 cm
- Lifespan: 5-8 years
- Recommended group size: ≥ 6
- Difficulty: beginner
Diet
Classified as omnivore. Recommended feeding frequency: 2x daily. In captivity, offer a varied diet appropriate to the species — quality prepared foods supplemented with frozen or live items of suitable size.
Compatibility
- Temperament: peaceful
- Swimming level: middle
- Compatible tank mates: Clownfish, Royal Gramma, Firefish Goby, Banggai Cardinalfish
- Avoid with: Aggressive Damselfish, Large Predatory Fish
Reef compatibility
Generally classified as reef-safe: does not feed on stony or soft corals, tridacnid clams or ornamental shrimps under normal conditions.
Breeding
- Breeding strategy: substrate-spawner
- Breeding difficulty: advanced