Chromis viridis
Due to
variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image
provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Color Form: Blue
Diet: Omnivore
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78?
F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Origin: Africa,
Indonesia, Pen Raised, Philippines
Family: Pomacentridae
Minimum Tank Size: 30
gallons
The Blue Green Reef Chromis is easy to care for,
beautiful, and peaceful. In fact, Chromis viridis is one of the preferred
marine reef fish amongst aquarists, regardless of their experience level. This
member of the Pomacentridae family is most recognizable by its gorgeous light
blue dorsal side that slowly fades into a majestic pale green belly. The Blue
Green Reef Chromis is desirable not only for its beauty, but also for its
peaceful demeanor (despite its designation as a true damselfish) and ability to
be kept with almost all other community fish, invertebrates, and corals.
Native to reefs ranging from mid-depth to shallow lagoons
of the Indo-Pacific and South Pacific, wild specimens prefer to school in large
shoals amongst branching corals like Acropora. In the home aquarium, the Blue
Green Reef Chromis does best in similar environments and will actively swim at
all levels of the aquarium water column. In fact, a small school of Blue Green
Reef Chromis comprised of at least six individuals adds a dazzling and dramatic
shimmer of beauty to almost any well-established reef system.
Overall, the Blue Green Reef Chromis is very hardy and
can live between 8 to 15 years in aquariums with excellent water quality. For
best care, feed several times throughout the day with a varied diet of meaty
foods, herbivore flakes, and frozen preparations. Vitamin-enriched foods may
also help to preserve body colorations.
Some aquarists have successfully bred the Blue Green Reef
Chromis in the home aquarium. Interestingly, the body color of mature males,
ready to nest, changes to a muted yellow color. However, breeding success
requires perfect water parameters in only the largest of non-predatory aquarium
systems.