Chromis School/Shoal Question

[rockerboi09]

I’m thinking about adding Chromis to my tank. From what I’ve read through here there only seems to be a handful of people to have success with keeping multiple in one tank. Based on what I’ve read, it seems that they seem to not pick on each other if they are kept in ideal situations. The most successful Chromis keeping I’ve seen seem to have lots of strong flow in the tank, keep them in large schools (some success with 5-7, but more luck with 10+), and if they are fed similarly to how you would plan to do the average Anthia (3+ times per day).

I would like to hear from those of you that have had success to see if these things were part of your reef. I would also like to hear from the people who haven’t had success to see if they were doing these things and still didn’t have success. Finally, I’d like to hear from anyone successful if they have any tips or theories on why they were able to keep a school or shoal. Thanks!

 

[eatbreakfast]

I’m thinking about adding Chromis to my tank. From what I’ve read through here there only seems to be a handful of people to have success with keeping multiple in one tank. Based on what I’ve read, it seems that they seem to not pick on each other if they are kept in ideal situations. The most successful Chromis keeping I’ve seen seem to have lots of strong flow in the tank, keep them in large schools (some success with 5-7, but more luck with 10+), and if they are fed similarly to how you would plan to do the average Anthia (3+ times per day).

I would like to hear from those of you that have had success to see if these things were part of your reef. I would also like to hear from the people who haven’t had success to see if they were doing these things and still didn’t have success. Finally, I’d like to hear from anyone successful if they have any tips or theories on why they were able to keep a school or shoal. Thanks!

I have had success with groups in a few tanks and I credit all the things you mentioned to that success.

 

[twilliard]

I have 4 in my tank and feed twice a day I started with 8 and 4 died right off the bat.
I have had mine now for 6 months.

 

[Reef_Hobbyist]

I have a dozen in a very large tank with heavy flow. They seem to enjoy the flow and align their bodies into it like a surfer. There is no aggression. I believe it is because the fish blend in a large school and no one fish can be isolated and picked on. I feed them 3 times a day.

 

[eatbreakfast]

I agree that feedings and flow have a lot to do with success of groups of chromis

 

[DeniseAndy]

I am sure size of tank has a lot to do with number allowed. While the only chromis's I have personally kept were great until they matured. Then they went bat-blank-crazy and had to be taken out of the tank. Not only were they horrible to each other, but all other fish. I still have one in the tank that is too smart for me to catch. It has settled down now with only one, so I leave it be. I had Neoglyphidodon nigroris (blackmouth chromis).

However, I did have two sets of cardinals (threadfin[10] and dot-dash[4]) that I started with many and they eventually picked down to three and two respectively. I have a 210g display, so large enough tank. I have had the three cardinals for over 5 years now and the dot-dash about 2 years.