Green Chromide

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Large coastal estuaries, brackish lagoons, and coastal rivers of southern India and Sri Lanka.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Family Cichlidae. High-backed, disc-shaped body covered in heavy scales. Grows up to 30 cm.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and gregarious. Best kept in groups of 5 or more to ensure social harmony. Territory is defended only during breeding.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Greenish-grey body marked with 6 to 8 dark vertical bars and spotted with white iridescent specks. Sessi look identical.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a large tank (300 liters minimum) with sand and heavy stones. Do not use live plants as they are a food source.

Diet and Feeding: Strictly herbivorous. Feed algae wafers, spirulina pellets, blanched zucchini, lettuce, and occasional frozen mysis.

Water Quality: Prefers brackish water (SG 1.005-1.010) but adapts to hard freshwater. Excellent mechanical filtration is required.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: Perfect for large brackish community tanks alongside monos, scats, and archerfish. Avoid small species.

Aquarium Breeding: Substrate spawner. Eggs are glued to flat rocks. Parents dig pits in the sand to move and guard the hatched fry.

Risks and Diseases: Prone to skin parasites if salinity levels drop or if water quality is poor. Maintain stable temperatures.