What is the secret to keeping chromis.

cedwards04 · Apr 11, 2020

I have read tons and tons of threads saying chromis will eventually kill each other off 1 by 1, and other threads were many people have had great success in keeping groups of them for many many years. So what is the secret to success? An auto feeder that can drop some pellets multiple times a day? Certain number of fish? Tank size? I'd really like to add some to my 100g tank as they have nice coloring and do not cost a fortune. But I don't want to be constantly pulling out dead fish 1 after another.

Gungo · Apr 11, 2020

Following. I never had luck with them.

Mike N · Apr 11, 2020

Luck of the draw, I think.
I purchased 3 chromis for my 40b 3 years ago and they're all fat and happy.
On the other hand, we purchased 10 for our 450g office tank and they dropped 1 by 1 like you mentioned.

Arthacker87 · Apr 11, 2020

Have had 3 since the start of my 65 a 1 ¹/² years ago and all doing fine. Chase each other a bit but thats all

vetteguy53081 · Apr 11, 2020

First, assure that they are eating, breathing normal and have no skin or bacteria issues.
Freshwater dip them, then give them a formalin bath (I use mardel General cure) and introduce. They suffer from Uronema which attacks their flesh.

X-37B · Apr 11, 2020

I have 6 in my 120 for 7 months now.
They grow very fast. I feed 3-4 times a day.
They were getting aggressive towards each other at about 5 months and I added a convict tang.
It swims around with all of them and if they start acting up he breaks it up.
Tang police I guess and I think it thinks its a chromis.
Keeping them well fed helps alot.

MattL22 · Apr 11, 2020

Not sure if there’s a secret I have 7 over a yr just gave them a prazi pro dip b4 adding and feed 2-3 times a day I also have 12 anthais and other fish so the chromis don’t pick each other off busy holding off everyone else

Haydn · Apr 12, 2020

Just do your research and buy the correct species, there are at least 4 species of fish currently being sold as 'green Chromis'. Some will tolerate being in a group, some won't, none will tolerate a mixed group well.

Fishnut · Apr 12, 2020

Not sure what the secret is. I purchased a group of 8 six years ago. There are five remaining from that group. The tank is a 125 with three separate sections, so they each have their own sleeping areas. I feed 2X a day.

NS Mike D · Apr 12, 2020

Fishnut said:
Not sure what the secret is. I purchased a group of 8 six years ago. There are five remaining from that group. The tank is a 125 with three separate sections, so they each have their own sleeping areas. I feed 2X a day.

+1

eatbreakfast · Apr 12, 2020

Starting out with young, healthy specimens. Getting a large enough number(8 or preferably more), high flow at the top 1/3 of the tank, enough cover for each one, and frequent small feedings.

ScottR · Apr 12, 2020

I buy them all the same size. Bought 3 one died or got killed off, smallest one. Bought another 3 and one died same day. Have had the remaining 4 for over a year. Not sure if there’s a secret other than luck. They do shoal together and aren’t aggressive at all towards each other. (This is a pic meant for lights for someone but all 4 photobombed it so here they are)

cedwards04 · Apr 12, 2020

Haydn said:
Just do your research and buy the correct species, there are at least 4 species of fish currently being sold as 'green Chromis'. Some will tolerate being in a group, some won't, none will tolerate a mixed group well.

Care to elaborate on this? What are the 4 species and which is the one we should be buying?

Haydn · Apr 12, 2020

cedwards04 said:
Care to elaborate on this? What are the 4 species and which is the one we should be buying?

I have posted a number of times on here about 'green Chromis' this was the latest 'These are the at least 4 varieties which go under that common name- Altrichthys alelia, Chromis viridis, C. Atripectoralis or maybe C. Caerulea (stop press! A couple more Altrichthys have been identified which look similar to 'Green chromis')'

As to which one we should be buying, we need to be able to positively id the ones we are looking at in the LFS or be sure the seller knows which one they are selling. Just do a search and try to see the difference.

X-37B · Apr 12, 2020

My 6 were sold as blue/green chromis. Not much green as they seem to have lost some as they grow.
Which species do you think they are?
This is a better pick.

greekspec2 · Apr 12, 2020

37gal bought 10 still have 10 for 1yr now

Brian_68 · Apr 12, 2020

I have ten and have not lost one in maybe a year plus, not sure exactly. Don't know what helps but I do keep them well fed and there are over 25 fish in a 125 gallon tank so lots of activity. They do pick on each other but nothing sustained.

Haydn · Apr 14, 2020

90's reefer said:
My 6 were sold as blue/green chromis. Not much green as they seem to have lost some as they grow.
Which species do you think they are?
This is a better pick.

This is exactly why we, hobbyists are having this problem and some people report success and others not
This is a slelection of fish identified as 'Green chromis'

This is identified a C. viridis

This as C. atripectoralis

This as C. caerulea

These as Altrichthys alelia

And just for fun another couple

I have no idea what your fish are- your guess is as good as mine, but as they all have different behavours and tolerances we are on a hiding to nothing.

X-37B · Apr 14, 2020

Haydn said:
This is exactly why we, hobbyists are having this problem and some people report success and others not
This is a slelection of fish identified as 'Green chromis'

This is identified a C. viridis

This as C. atripectoralis

This as C. caerulea

These as Altrichthys alelia

And just for fun another couple

I have no idea what your fish are- your guess is as good as mine, but as they all have different behavours and tolerances we are on a hiding to nothing.

Yea I wish everyone used the scientific names but thats probably to much to ask for since they are just chromis lol.
I live in Norcal and all 3 local lfs get the chromis from a Los Angeles wholesaler. The ones they call blue/ green all look the same.
The 2nd and 4th pics look like mine and are very close. Guess I will never know but your reasoning makes sense.
Thanks.

JFD · Apr 14, 2020

I have a group of 13 Chromis viridis on my 220G cube (260 overall system) for the last 2 years (one year in this system another in a sightly smaller one) and so far so good. However, I do feed 5-6 times a day a mix of frozen food and there is plenty of sleeping/hiding spaces - which I believe to be the key for keeping them alive.

This would also be true for fish of the Anthia family... Plenty and regular food (of the right size) and enough hiding places...