Paletail Chromis (Chromis xanthura) Care Guide
Chromis xanthura is a peaceful western Pacific damselfish that forms large midwater feeding aggregations over outer reef slopes.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Chromis xanthura, the paletail chromis, is a western Pacific damselfish of the family Pomacentridae. Adults have black bands along the gill and opercular margins, a yellow-tinged caudal peduncle and fin, and yellowish soft dorsal and anal fins; juveniles show dark blue spinous dorsal and pelvic fins.
Taxonomy
- Family: Pomacentridae
- Genus: Chromis
- Scientific name: Chromis xanthura
Habitat
The species is widespread in the western Pacific from southern Japan to Australia and Tonga, but absent from Hawaii and French Polynesia. It is reef-associated, occupying steep outer reef slopes and shallow coastal reef flats at depths of 0-40 m, feeding several metres above the seafloor.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Specific gravity: 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
- School size: 6 or more individuals
- Adult size: up to about 17 cm
- Lifespan: 8-15 years
Diet
In the wild it is a zooplankton feeder, taking prey from the water column above the reef. In the aquarium an omnivorous diet of small frozen and prepared marine foods fed two times daily is suitable.
Compatibility
A peaceful mid-water schooling species. It mixes with clownfish, tangs, wrasses and gobies. Aggressive damselfish and predators such as lionfish should be avoided. Given its size, a larger reef aquarium is preferable.
Reef compatibility
The paletail chromis is reef-safe. It feeds on plankton in the open water and does not harm corals or invertebrates, suiting larger reef aquariums with moderate flow.
Breeding
Reproduction involves distinct pairing during breeding, with males guarding the eggs. Captive breeding is considered difficult.
Paletail Chromis Breeding Guide
Overview
Chromis xanthura is a widespread Western Pacific damselfish ranging from southern Japan to Australia and Tonga, reaching about 17 cm. It feeds on zooplankton several metres above the seafloor on steep outer reef slopes and reef flats, often in large aggregations. FishBase records it as oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding, with demersal eggs that adhere to the substrate in nests within loose sand under ledges, guarded and aerated by the male. IUCN status is Least Concern.
Sexing
There is little stable external difference between the sexes outside the breeding period, so reproductive role is the practical guide. The male holds and prepares the nest in loose sand under a ledge, while the female is the partner that comes in to spawn. Keeping the species as a group gives the best chance that a male and female pair naturally.
Conditioning
A group in stable, well-flowing reef water reaches condition on several daily feedings of small zooplankton-type and meaty foods. This mirrors the natural diet of zooplankton taken in midwater above the reef recorded on FishBase and supports the development of eggs.
Breeding Setup
Unlike chromis that nest only on bare rock, this species nests in loose sand under ledges, so the setup should combine open sand with overhanging rockwork the male can clear and defend. A spacious tank allows the aggregation to function while a male prepares and holds its sheltered nest site.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Damselfish court with ritualised displays of rapid motion, chasing and fin extension. The female deposits adhesive eggs in the prepared sand nest under the ledge, and the male follows to fertilise them externally. FishBase notes distinct pairing during breeding for this species.
Egg & Fry Care
The demersal eggs adhere within the nest and are guarded and aerated by the male. Across Pomacentridae incubation lasts about two to seven days, and the hatched larvae of about 2 to 4 mm enter a pelagic stage of roughly a week to over a month. These larvae depend on very small live plankton such as cultured copepods.
Common Challenges
The decisive difficulty is the pelagic larval phase: the larvae are minute and require continuous dense live plankton, which is generally beyond a home aquarium. With no published species-specific rearing protocol, captive spawning of Paletail Chromis usually ends at the planktonic larval stage.