Chromis <Chromis> viridis, color var.   2/20/07 hi <Hi> bob <Bob coral <Coral> magazine <Magazine> on page 29 of the 02/03-2007 issue has a picture of Chromis <Chromis> viridis from the red sea <Red Sea> in a color form that i <I> have not seen before, <.> is <Is> the name correct? if <If> so is this fish available in the us? thank you reinhard haltermann <Reinhard Halterman> <<Don't have this magazine... but this species does look a bit different (more silvery, more greenish or bluish) about the world... and there are always the vagaries of photography and reproduction... BobF>> Chromis Query ... id, comp., sel.   4/8/06 Hi Y'all, <Chris> I'm just wondering if you could clarify any differences in suitability/temperament with Chromis or point me towards somewhere I can find more info - I have checked the WWM pages and FAQs already (& other sources) but can't seem to find the answers I seek. <... What little we have should be in the coverage, SubFAQs coverage by the genus, family: http://wetwebmedia.com/marine/fishes/part2.htm Scroll down to the Damsels, genus...> My query is specifically around the differences between Blue-Green Chromis (C. viridis?), Blue Chromis (C. cyanea?) and the Green Chromis (with black spot at base of pectoral fin?) (C. atripectoralis?) <These are the most common species associated with these names... though there are often others> I have seen recently Chromis labeled as blue Chromis which looked (in my humble opinion) nicer than the blue/greens, it is difficult to tell from the picture on your Chromis page but the fishies that I saw had markings similar to blue devil damsels around the eye - small black splotch/band - does this fit with how blue Chromis are generally marked? <Mmm, if you mean mis-marked, labeled and/or appearing, yes> The colour of these fishies was consistent with the deeper blue (as on your page) than the blue/greens.  How do I differentiate between blue/greens and greens - is this the Pec fin black spot? <Not definitive... unfortunately. Some batches, source locations have this spot, others no.> Mainly my query is around the temperament of these fishies and any variances amongst variety - I am planning three of a single species for my new tank (a month or two before I start stocking yet - still working on the lists!) They will be sharing the tank with 2 Black & white Clowns, a couple of Banggai Cardinals & either a Flame Angel or a Coral Beauty (being tempted by the Coral B here) along with mainly SPS coral. On the basis of aesthetic value I am leaning towards the Blue Chromis (assuming you confirm that the fishies I saw labeled as such with the eye markings are indeed likely to be Blue Chromis) however behaviour and temperament (particularly as these are damsels!) are more important to me as I want all of my charges to co-exist as harmoniously as possible! On this basis is there much to choose between the blue, green/blue and green? <Viridis are the easiest going, most likely to mix with its own species, others... Cyanea next, Atripectoralis last... though all three of these Chromis are far to the left in terms of the spectrum of Pomacentrid aggressiveness. The short answer here is I'd go with the Blue-greens if this were a concern. Bob Fenner> Many thanks as ever   Chris

Red Chromis?   1/14/06 Hello crew <James> My LFS recently had a very attractive fish for sale that I had never seen before. I have searched your site and a few others and have been unable to locate anything that looks like it. It was labeled as a "Red Chromis", about 1.5 inches long, colored an orangey-red sort of like a flame angel, and had at least one bright blue dot on its side (as I recall it was on/near his dorsal fin). Unfortunately the poor guy was in his death throes when I saw him. According to the LFS he had come in damaged and had been swimming in circles for a couple of days. As I stated I can't seem to find a picture of this guy anywhere. I was quite taken with this fish and I was wondering if this description would ring any bells with the crew. Best to you all and thanks. Jim <Mmm, have recently been through the genus (putting away images from a trip), and don't recall any reddish member. You can try fishbase.org and scan all pix they have... Mine here: http://www.wetwebmedia.com/chromis.htm Bob Fenner> Chromis color change The orange lined Chromis is supposed to lose his color when he's juvenile he's blue with a orange stripe but is his adult form he's brown with a white tail... just thought I'd let you know <Yep. Thank you. Bob Fenner>

Reef Chromis beyond Green? Robert Fenner: There seem to be many types of small Chromis that would be suitable as fish for the reef aquarium, but only viridis, cyanea and occasionally dimidiata are available in the trade. Why? <I often call this the "founder" or "flounder effect"... Yes, there are MANY more suitable (in fact much more suitable) species of fishes, non-fish livestock that can/could/should be utilized in the ornamental interest... as an old-timey industry person who visits collection, breeding sites all year long I'll tell you... mainly "key" species are targeted... as they're already known to be "good sellers", "in demand"... Amazing, this is the principal reason why we see so few "new" species offered~!> Or am I just not shopping at the right LFS or website? Do you know of anyone who offers other types of reef-safe Chromis for sale? RJS <Try the fine folks at Marine Center (dot com)... and ask them in turn where you might go... There are "contaminants" from time to time that "show up" in shipments as well... Bob Fenner, who says, come travel diving with us and pick up your own!>

Re: Reef Chromis beyond Green? Thanks for the info. I can see why the "flounder effect" would apply to the old-line LFS pet store trade -- but the Internet trade would seem to open new markets for the bold supplier.  <Ahh, yes... We could use people of your caliber and enterprise in our industry... unfortunately the remuneration and prestige are not high... And the Internet companies have absolutely nothing, zero, nada to do with what gets caught, shipped from the wild... the structure of the trade is such... However, with enough "bottom up" demand for livestock... new species are added... over a few years time... sort of like turning a big ship with a small rudder... And the all-important, opening up of new collection areas... like airline service going into some place that has viable species, abundance, governments that want to see their resources used properly... these sorts of influences... once again... time frames... years...> Let's hope some adventuresome web/dotcom shipper will break the trend and supply some new varieties.  <You would/could have more effect by taking photographs, writing a "happy story" about the suitability of said species... this is, um, what yours truly does, has done the last few decades> There is a ready market. I am not the only one out here tired of the same old same old -- sounds like a financial opportunity for somebody! <Indeed my friend. You are correct. Bob Fenner>

Re: Hey Bob ;)(Trachyphylliid, Pomacentrus, stocking) Hey, I hope that my gratification is not getting too much for you, but again, thanks so much for your time, my friend. <"The only true gift is a part of thyself"> First, the brain coral appraisal. Not a brain coral at all (of course you knew that) <You are right... am becoming quite transparent... am glad for this> , it is a "Super Green Wellsophyllia" <one more "l"> To recap the situation with this guy, he is about half the size he was when I originally got him and his colors are not quite as radiant. . . He also looks quite a bit "harder" as before he was light and fluffy looking Is there anything that I may do right now? <Mmm, check on biomineral, alkaline content of your water... perhaps feed the colony... See coverage as per old family affiliation/classification, Trachyphylliidae: http://wetwebmedia.com/trachyphlliidae.htm> OK, new issue. In my 90 gallon (75 g plus 30 g sump) I have approximately 19 inches of fish, and the rest reef clean up crew. From my research I have about 10 "inches" more of fish to stock the tank before I can call it a completely stocked reef. Am I on? <Sort of... "completely stocked" is a subjective reality... It's not stocked till you believe it so... It is currently stocked IMHO, but you could add more.> I am also looking forward to having some schooling fish of some kind (in this case 5 small fish to finish off the stock). I did read several of the damsel articles on WetWeb. . . I was hoping for more FAQs regarding the "Lemon Damselfish" for a reef environment. <Please write them and I will post> But here's where it gets interesting -- just attempting to properly identify this guy. On FFE he goes by "Abudefduf aureus" In Aquarium Fish Magazine he goes by "Pomacentrus moluccensis." In the WWM you match what Aquarium Fish Magazine calls it.  <This is a/the fish. Maybe check the current i.d., taxonomy on fishbase.org> If this species is appropriate for what I am looking for (a colorful splash of yellow schooling fish, as I have decided not to go with the Yellow Tang (too aggressive), <Mmm this Damsel's about as aggressive, a bit smaller...> that will be hardy and easy to take care of, and like to be seen. And most of all, are they really DARK YELLOW, like the Yellow Tang?  <Check the images out on FishBase... this Damsel, like many, changes with age/growth> Or are they pretty dull? And about its identification. On FFE they don't offer a pic with this guy. The last thing I want is to order him and be stuck with a bunch of destructive goldfish! You know what I mean. <Maybe> I have other questions, but I attempt to keep them in species order so that you can properly file them into your priceless knowledge FAQ database. <Our database> Look forward to talking again in the next few days. I'm getting the aquarium stocking itch again!! Kindest regards, Rich <Be chatting. Bob Fenner>

Quick Simple Chromis Question Bob, I've been thinking about purchasing some species of small schooling fish for my 90 Gallon Reef Tank. I've read all about the Chromis and I think that I have decided to add 3-4 small blue reef Chromis I think the species cyanea . Here's my question. I can order them online and pay for the rather large shipping charges (I've done this once already and all three arrived DOA from Saltwaterfish.com's) <Not a big fan of ordering/purchasing livestock sight unseen. Shipping charges usually come close to eating up all your savings and then if you have problems, forget about it (in my best Italian accent).> but I thought that I could buy this family of damsels in the LFS. Well, I've been to three stores and I don't trust anyone to tell me that those little blue "damsels" are from the Chromis family. How can I tell? <You can get several good pictures of these guys from the WWM webpage under Chromis. Also, these guys are Atlantic, so your LFS will have to have an Atlantic supplier. Be sure to quarantine these guys and all new fish for one month minimum. Mixing Atlantic and Pacific fish can cause all kinds of parasite problems. -Steven Pro>

Chromis dimidiata I was trying to figure out if this fish is akin to the "green Chromis", i.e. an effective "dither" fish that can be kept in small schools in the aquaria, or is this guy more like the dreaded domino in temperament? <My experience has been that all Chromis species are fairly peaceful.> Also, is Chromis cyanea a separate species from Chromis viridis, or are these just color variants? <No, these are different species from opposite sides of the world.> Are Chromis cyanea found in the Red Sea? <These are a Caribbean fish.> I'm confused by stuff that I've found on your website and elsewhere. Thanks. <Hopefully, I cleared up some of your confusion. -Steven Pro>