Common name: blue-green chromis

Scientific name: Chromis viridis (Cuvier, 1830)
Blue Green Chromis, Chromis viridis, a popular and peaceful aquarium fish from the Indo-Pacific Oceans
Group of Blue Chromis (Chromis atripectoralis) Close up of Blue-green Chromis fish - Blue Pullerfish (Chromis Viridis) small fish hiding on the coral reef.

General information

The Green Chromis, Chromis viridis, is a small and peaceful reef fish popular among aquarists for its shimmering greenish-blue coloration and schooling behavior. They are a member of the damselfish family, which is known for its hardiness, making them a suitable choice for both novice and experienced hobbyists.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
10 cm (4″)
Care level
Easy Hardy and easy for beginners
Diet
Omnivore Flakes, pellets, and frozen foods
Social
School Best in groups of 6+
Reefsafe
Yes
Aggression
Peaceful
Captive bred
Yes Commonly bred in captivity

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Damselfish
    Pomacentridae
  6. Genus
    Chromis
    Chromis
  7. Species
    blue-green chromis
    Chromis viridis (Cuvier, 1830)
  8. Synonyms
    Dascyllus cyanurus Rüppell, 1838
    Glyphisodon bandanensis Bleeker, 1851
    Heliases frenatus Cuvier, 1830
    Heliases lepisurus Cuvier, 1830
    Heliases viridis Cuvier, 1830
    Pomacentrus viridis Cuvier, 1830

Care

Green Chromis are relatively easy to care for. They thrive in well-established aquariums with stable water conditions and plenty of swimming space. They are best kept in small groups to exhibit their natural schooling behavior. A varied diet of meaty foods and herbivore preparations will help maintain their health and coloration.

Reproduction

In the wild, Green Chromis spawn during the morning hours. They release eggs and sperm into the water column, where fertilization occurs. In the aquarium, breeding is less common, but with optimal conditions, they may spawn. The eggs are pelagic, drifting with the currents until hatching.

Habitat

Green Chromis are found throughout the Indo-Pacific in shallow lagoons and reef slopes. They prefer areas with strong water movement and often gather in large schools above staghorn corals and other branching corals for protection and foraging.