Barrier Reef chromis
Chromis nitida
A shimmering silvery-gold damselfish from the Great Barrier Reef, marked by a striking dark diagonal stripe. Peaceful and highly active, it thrives when kept in large schools among branching corals.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 26 °C
pH-Wert
8.1 - 8.4
Wassertyp
Meerwasser
Tankfüllstand
Oberfläche und Mitte
Erwachsenengröße
7 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 100 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 6
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Chromis nitida is native to the warm tropical waters of the Western Pacific, with a highly dense distribution along the Australian Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. This species inhabits outer reef slopes and sheltered lagoons at depths ranging from 5 to 25 meters, living in close association with branching coral colonies such as Acropora and Pocillopora. These corals provide critical protection against larger predators and serve as focal points for the school's social interactions.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Belonging to the family Pomacentridae, subfamily Chrominae, genus Chromis. It features a laterally compressed, slender, and elegant body compared to other stockier damselfishes. Adults reach a maximum length of about 7-8 centimeters. It possesses relatively large eyes adapted for spotting microscopic zooplankton in the water column and a small, protractile mouth equipped with tiny teeth.
Social Behavior: This is a peaceful, schooling species that lives in large, tight shoals. Unlike many other aggressive damselfishes, Chromis nitida displays excellent intraspecific tolerance and coexists peacefully with other fish. It swims actively in open waters during the day, feeding on drifting food, and retreats instantly into the coral branches when threatened or during the night.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: The base coloration is a shimmering silvery-gold, shading into a metallic blue-green on the dorsal side. A characteristic dark brown or black diagonal stripe runs from the eye to the posterior base of the dorsal fin. There is no visible sexual dimorphism between males and females, though dominant males may display slightly more intense coloration during courtship.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Requires a mature marine aquarium of at least 150 liters to house a small school of 5-6 specimens. The layout should include branching corals and live rock arranged to form reef barriers with numerous hiding spots, while leaving ample open space in the upper water column for active swimming. A moderate to strong water flow is recommended to simulate natural reef currents.
Diet and Feeding: A zooplanktivore in the wild, it readily accepts a wide variety of aquarium foods. The diet should consist of high-quality frozen foods like mysis, brine shrimp, copepods, and finely chopped krill, alternated with vitamin-enriched dry flakes and small pellets. To maintain the health and vigor of the school, it is best to feed small, frequent portions at least three times a day.
Water Quality: Water parameters must be stable and ideal for a reef aquarium: temperature 24-26°C (75-79°F), pH 8.1-8.4, specific gravity 1.021-1.025, and nitrates/phosphates kept as low as possible. Efficient mechanical and biological filtration, alongside a well-calibrated protein skimmer, is essential to manage the organic load.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: It is an ideal species for reef tanks and is completely reef-safe. It does not bother corals, anemones, or other invertebrates. It coexists peacefully with surgeonfish, clownfish, gobies, wrasses, and other non-aggressive reef fish. Avoid housing them with extremely aggressive tankmates or large predators that might prey on them.
Aquarium Breeding: Breeding in the aquarium is documented but challenging. They are demersal spawners: during the breeding season, the male cleans a flat rock surface and courts the female. After the adhesive eggs are fertilized, the male guards and fans them until they hatch. The larvae are planktonic and require microscopic live foods such as rotifers for survival.
Risks and Diseases: While generally hardy, it can contract common marine parasitic infections like Cryptocaryon irritans (marine ich) and Oodinium under stress. A preventive quarantine period before introduction to the display tank is highly recommended. Regular water changes and parameter stability are key to preventing disease outbreaks.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Chromis nitida is native to the warm tropical waters of the Western Pacific, with a highly dense distribution along the Australian Great Barrier Reef and the Coral Sea. This species inhabits outer reef slopes and sheltered lagoons at depths ranging from 5 to 25 meters, living in close association with branching coral colonies such as Acropora and Pocillopora. These corals provide critical protection against larger predators and serve as focal points for the school's social interactions.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeAustralien, Neuguinea und Ozeanien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- The Chromis nitida is generally considered one of the more docile members of the damselfish family. They are quite peaceful when young and add a wonderful dynamic movement to a community reef tank. As they reach maturity, some internal bickering may occur within their school to establish dominance. They rarely show aggression toward other fish species or invertebrates in the aquarium. Overall, they are an excellent choice for aquarists seeking active yet relatively polite inhabitants.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- In their natural habitat, the Chromis nitida feeds primarily on zooplankton drifting in the water column. In captivity, they adapt quickly to a varied diet consisting of high-quality marine flakes, pellets, and frozen meaty foods. Regular offerings of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood help maintain their vibrant coloration. It is important to provide vitamin-enriched foods to bolster their immune system. A mixed diet ensures they receive all the necessary nutrients for long-term health.
- Lebenserwartung
- 5-8 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 7 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- School
- There are very few, if any, noticeable external differences between male and female Chromis nitida outside of the spawning period. When purchasing them, aquarists typically acquire a small group without worrying about specific male-to-female ratios. Within the group, a natural hierarchy will eventually form, with a dominant individual often emerging. Keeping an odd number of fish, such as five or seven, can help distribute minor territorial squabbles. Ultimately, sexing them is unnecessary for general display purposes.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- Given their small stomachs and high energy levels, the Chromis nitida should be fed small amounts multiple times a day. Ideally, offering food two to three times daily closely mimics their natural continuous feeding habits. This frequent feeding schedule prevents malnutrition and helps sustain their fast metabolism. Automated feeders can be extremely beneficial for maintaining this routine when the aquarist is away. Careful observation ensures all individuals in the group get a fair share of food.
- Bioload
- Low to Medium
- The Chromis nitida has a relatively small bioload, making it manageable in established marine systems. Due to their active nature, they process food quickly and contribute consistently to the system's waste. A good protein skimmer and regular water changes are highly recommended to maintain pristine water conditions. When kept in a school, the cumulative waste requires robust biological and mechanical filtration. Overall, they do not put undue stress on a properly sized aquarium.
- Fluss
- Strong
- The Chromis nitida originates from reef slopes and lagoons where moderate to strong water flow is constant. They enjoy swimming against the current, which provides them with essential exercise and mimics their natural environment. Strong circulation also keeps their preferred planktonic food suspended in the water column longer. Providing areas of varied flow allows them to choose their preferred swimming effort. Excellent water movement is crucial for their optimal health and behavior.
- Sprungrisiko
- No
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- The Chromis nitida can spawn in captivity, although raising the fry presents a significant challenge for most hobbyists. They are substrate spawners, with males usually clearing a specific site on the rockwork or glass to attract females. After the female deposits her eggs, the male fiercely guards and fans the nest until they hatch. The newly hatched larvae are pelagic and require extremely small live foods like rotifers to survive. Consequently, successful rearing demands a dedicated breeding setup and meticulous care.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- The Chromis nitida is widely regarded as a peaceful reef-safe species that rarely bothers corals or invertebrates. They do best when kept in groups, which helps reduce their stress and encourages natural schooling behaviors. However, as they mature, the group may establish a hierarchy where the weakest individuals might face some aggression. They are generally compatible with a wide range of peaceful to semi-aggressive community fish. Care should be taken not to house them with overly large predatory fish.
- Tankfüllstand
- Top/Middle
- The Chromis nitida is highly active and spends the majority of its time in the middle to upper levels of the water column. They prefer open swimming spaces where they can cruise and forage throughout the day. Despite their love for open water, they also require access to rockwork and crevices for shelter during the night or when frightened. A balance between open swimming areas and complex hardscape provides the most secure environment. This spatial arrangement encourages them to stay visible and active.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 2,7 ± 0,29 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.01259, b = 3.03
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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