Chromis retrofasciata in a 10 gallon?

[LordJoshaeus]

Hi everyone! I have been doing research on fish lately and found that this species gets to a mere 2 inches long AND is not particularly aggressive - seemingly a good candidate for my 10 gallon. My question is, could I keep a mated 'pair' (I know this is not a monogamous species like clownfishes tend to be) of these fishes (or any other similarly small, passive chromises...NOT green chromis, which are larger and more contentious) in a 10 gallon with a lot of cover? I could add Pseudomugil cyanodorsalis as a dither fish if that would help, though this would complicate successfully gathering any fry the chromis pair would produce. Thanks

 

[Perthegallon]

Its not really what you can do but should you do it. I don't think 2 cromies is for a tank is a issue especially if there alone in a 10 and you are ever A. adding lots of structures or B. changing there tank up every month or so over all I would definitely consider an upgrade from the 10 or choose a better option for the tank like a goby

 

[LordJoshaeus]

Its not really what you can do but should you do it. I don't think 2 cromies is for a tank is a issue especially if there alone in a 10 and you are ever A. adding lots of structures or B. changing there tank up every month or so over all I would definitely consider an upgrade from the 10 or choose a better option for the tank like a goby

I'd understand why a pair of 3 inch green chromises (which can also be obnoxious with each other) would be an issue on those grounds, but why would a pair of 2 inch, relatively peaceful fishes be an issue? Not as if a 10 gallon is particularly short on space for a 2 inch fish...

 

[Perthegallon]

I'd understand why a pair of 3 inch green chromises (which can also be obnoxious with each other) would be an issue on those grounds, but why would a pair of 2 inch, relatively peaceful fishes be an issue? Not as if a 10 gallon is particularly short on space for a 2 inch fish...

For me personally my 2 chromises take up use the whole take of my 45 when I had them in a smaller 35 during qt they seemed to get bored and frustrated with the small set up. They may do fine I just really never saw happy ones in anyway less then 30 they like to swim a lot and the best ones I’ve ever seen were in a 150 gallon tank were they got to swim everywhere which was really cool to see so even in my 45 I personally don’t feel like that’s enough space not to say you couldn’t keep them in a 10 I just feel as there are better fish for a tank of that size

 

[ichthyogeek]

Damsels are damsels are damsels. Even with just a pair, I'd still do at least a 20H with any of them, excepting maybe ocellaris clowns.

 

[Haydn]

I have never kept Retros in a tank as small as 10gallons so I can't comment but I have kept a small group. I found the males(?) once they matured maintained a territory around a cave in the LR. The females(?) wandered around the tank. As they passed through the males territory the male would show to the female (flared fins, shimmering) and if the female was receptive she would join the male in the cave (presumably to spawn). When they had finished the male chased the female away. I never saw any pair bonding or interaction between them.

My worry would be in a 10 gallon, if the female was not ready to spawn or the male already had eggs, the female couldn't get out of the territory and may get battered.

 

[LordJoshaeus]

Damsels are damsels are damsels. Even with just a pair, I'd still do at least a 20H with any of them, excepting maybe ocellaris clowns.

I have never kept Retros in a tank as small as 10gallons so I can't comment but I have kept a small group. I found the males(?) once they matured maintained a territory around a cave in the LR. The females(?) wandered around the tank. As they passed through the males territory the male would show to the female (flared fins, shimmering) and if the female was receptive she would join the male in the cave (presumably to spawn). When they had finished the male chased the female away. I never saw any pair bonding or interaction between them.

My worry would be in a 10 gallon, if the female was not ready to spawn or the male already had eggs, the female couldn't get out of the territory and may get battered.

Fair. Guess it's more than simply giving them enough swimming space...thanks.