Chromis Hell in less than 24 hours.

[Hoodstream]

First off I want to say there is so much misinformation spread in this hobby and I’ve fallen victim to it by either A. Taking in misinformation or B. Spreading it.

Yesterday I bought Four Green Chromis. Guy at this store I went to said they’re really docile and peaceful did a quick Google search and got similar results. Took them home acclimated put them in the tank and it’s been a nightmare.

They school like a pack of bullies my clown tried jumping, my fire fish won’t leave a cave, my bi-color looks ready to fight and my watchman pistol combo looked ready to defend.

I’ve seen people experience bad Chromis on this forum but sadly everything I saw was last night when I was trying to figure it out as to why they’re so aggressive.

Dude at the fish store wants to be a straight donkey talking about “we have a 24 hour period for returns but only if sick or dead.”, just wanted to share my experience and see if anyone had any luck with getting them to calm down or if it’s stress being in a new tank.
Cheers,

 

[Fredrxn]

I have 2 in my 65 gallon and there peaceful with my other fish

 

[Falc!]

I brought home 8 chromis and first day they bullied the smallest and it died. Long story short, 3 weeks later i have a mid size super aggressive chromi left. BUT my midas blenny keeps him in check so now he is all docile

 

[Hoodstream]

I brought home 8 chromis and first day they bullied the smallest and it died. Long story short, 3 weeks later i have a mid size super aggressive chromi left. BUT my midas blenny keeps him in check so now he is all docile

My bicolor is usually the biggest chicken but it almost looks like he’s taunting them. He’s perched a lot more out and in the open and he will swim real close to them like he’s waiting for one to test him lol.

 

[Hoodstream]

I have 2 in my 65 gallon and there peaceful with my other fish

Maybe mines a space issue got 4 in a 40g.

 

[Lavey29]

Hopefully they are just reacting aggressive due to the new environment and will calm down in a few days.

 

[Falc!]

My sharknose kepps the chromi on his toes too....always trying to jump on him when the chromi gets distracted

 

[Hoodstream]

Hopefully they are just reacting aggressive due to the new environment and will calm down in a few days.

I’m hoping so my Snowflake clowns were my first salt water fish ever if they die I may be a grown man but I’ll cry like a baby lol. I love those guys they’ve been on the journey since the beginning.

 

[Lavey29]

I’m hoping so my Snowflake clowns were my first salt water fish ever if they die I may be a grown man but I’ll cry like a baby lol. I love those guys they’ve been on the journey since the beginning.

I've only heard of chromis being aggressive with each other in their own group school not other fish.

 

[Jeffcb]

Eventually they will start killing each other.

 

[Hoodstream]

Eventually they will start killing each other.

Honestly if it stops them from killing the other fish I’m attached too and that cost more than $12 I’m ok with nature doing its thing.

 

[1ocean]

I got 3 small ones in my 300 and no issues...

 

[Hoodstream]

I got 3 small ones in my 300 and no issues...

These are the same comments I saw when I googled them and then last night I saw the other dozen threads that they’re psycho. I just wanted peaceful schooling fish. I’m going to wait and see but right now my clowns won’t leave from behind the heater and I have to go to work. Scared I’m going to come home and see one of my fish dead.

 

[1ocean]

many things in this hobby has many sides/views/experiences and answers ...seems to be to me it is the luck of the draw and what works or doesn't work for someone..me I had 3 yellow tangs got along for about 2 months then bam, a war, took the bully out and the other two are buddies and get along with the 5 other tangs...

 

[DeniseAndy]

Very few peaceful group fish in captive environment. It sounds like you are similar to me and want to keep the fish their entire life. As a fish matures, it will go out on its own or maybe partner, but rarely do they stay in groups in aquaria unless very large systems.
They will tolerate each other at times, but not do a schooling or group behavior that people seem to want to see. Again, in the under 300g systems long term (over 3 yrs or so).
At least FME.

 

[Hoodstream]

Very few peaceful group fish in captive environment. It sounds like you are similar to me and want to keep the fish their entire life. As a fish matures, it will go out on its own or maybe partner, but rarely do they stay in groups in aquaria unless very large systems.
They will tolerate each other at times, but not do a schooling or group behavior that people seem to want to see. Again, in the under 300g systems long term (over 3 yrs or so).
At least FME.

I just am attached to the fish I got and just wanted to add more character to tank. I don’t want to lose things I’m attached too because they’re advertised as peaceful but I see hundreds of accounts saying otherwise. I blame myself for not researching more but I didn’t think it would be as bad as terror in less than 24. However before I left it did seem like the presence of my bicolor threatened them he’s around 4 inches and protects his little perch. So hopefully this is enough to deter them from fighting further. Before my bicolor woke up and noticed them they were cashing the clowns and now they seem more schooled to the bottom left and haven’t left that area. I’m going to stop by on my lunch later to check up.

 

[DeniseAndy]

May just take some time. Could do a acclimation box too if they get too crazy so they can feel safe before release. Good luck!

 

[Hoodstream]

many things in this hobby has many sides/views/experiences and answers ...seems to be to me it is the luck of the draw and what works or doesn't work for someone..me I had 3 yellow tangs got along for about 2 months then bam, a war, took the bully out and the other two are buddies and get along with the 5 other tangs...

I’m starting to agree with the luck thing. So far the personality of every fish I’ve gotten has matched what was recorded and observed so it just threw me off seeing as a fish labeled peaceful could be so angry. I didn’t even see aggression threads till I googled “Clown Fish Green Chromis” and found threads on here linking to how terrible they can be. Guess I’m just upset cause I really quit a lot and invested a lot into this hobby and as much as some to a dog my fish have grown on me and seeing my clowns act like life or death just bothered me.

 

[Hoodstream]

May just take some time. Could do a acclimation box too if they get too crazy so they can feel safe before release. Good luck!

Thank you,
Cheers.

 

[stovenut]

What size is your tank? Chromis from all my experiences are very peaceful but also need open swimming space. If there is enough room for all, they will calm down. They do tend to pick on eachother but don't mess with other fish. Something is missing from the story.