blue/green chromis

Scientific Name: Chromis viridis Max. size: 8.0 cm TL (male/unsexed) Environment: reef-associated; non-migratory; marine; depth range 10 - 12m Distribution: Indo-Pacific: Red Sea to Line, Marquesan, and Tuamoto islands, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to New Caledonia. Morphology: Dorsal spines (total): 12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-11; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 9-11. Color is pale green to light blue; nesting male is yellow (changing hues during nesting), becoming blackish posteriorly. Looks similar to C. atripectoralis, but generally smaller and lacks the black area on the inside of the pectoral fin base. Biology: Found in large aggregations above thickets of branching Acropora corals in sheltered areas such as subtidal reef flats and lagoons. Juveniles closely tied to individual coral heads. Phytoplankton feeders. Breeding is done on sand and rubble. Males prepare nest for spawning which is shared with several females. Large number of eggs spawned hatching in 2-3 days. Males guard the nest ventilating fertilized egg with their caudal fins and feeding on those which do not hatch. Aquarium Care:These are schooling and peaceful damselfishes, and basically an open water feeder. They should be kept in schools/shoals of three or more. Feed a varied diet a few times daily. Meaty foods such as vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, flake foods high in vegetable matter, and other quality frozen foods are the preferred foodstuffs.Has a temperature range of 72 - 82°F (22 - 28°C). An upper water column fish and natural diet consists mainly of zooplankton. Requires a meaty diet with some algae with two or three feedings per day. Does extremely well in the aquarium, and better-maintained in small groups. One of the more popular Chromis species.