Blue/Green Chromis

[Wee-Reef Master]

Anyone successful at keeping these things? I coudn't seem to, nor could several people I know. What's the secret??

 

[Pico1]

I have a small school of three in my 55. Had em for 5 months. Nitrates are at 0. Temp at 81. I feed mysis in the afternoon and artici-pods at night just before the lights go out.

 

[Pico1]

BTW I think keeping the in odd #s of 3 or more helps them do better.

 

[nova62]

i bought 3 one died the next day.i have had the 2 left for about year now.my brother bought 10 and i think he only has about 4 left

 

[fishykidd916]

i had 12 a while back and slowly dropped down to 6. I noticed a few jumped out of my tank and others just disappeared. I have these 6 for over half a year now.

 

[dots]

I read something about them a whlile back about killing each other off one by one. I have had a pair in mine for the last two years that I would love to catch and replace them with a little more appeal since I only have 5 fish in mine.

A while back I did by another pair for a total of four, but two died shortly there after......

I have heard the odd numbered thing before, but I am pretty sure that even though they are schooling fish, they can't count......(get it, schooling!!!)

Its probably a herem size to gallon/territory thing and when they peck each other off into a small enough group for the area, they are fine.....hence my only keeping a pair intead of 2 pair.

 

[boviac]

I picked up I think five from WMC. One was gone the first day. And over then next week I lost two others. I moved in June and lost another (found one who committed jumping suicide). Two left. Bought three from John and I think due to handling improperly one didn't even make it through the night. So I have four still: two from WMC and two from June mtg timeframe. I feed them at least two times a day with Type II Reef Formula (Green flake kind) and several other general foods I feed to my reef. These guys sure have added some life to my tank from the non reefer's perspective.

I only have a 50 gal with overgrowth of coral, BTA and maroon clown (hides in the anemone), one pink spotted shrimp goby (hides most of the time), and a shy Tang that likes to hide when anyone but me is at the tank. So people would often say where are the fish?

These chromis stay right in front and whenever anyone comes up. They school very nicely and easily add a lot of new character to my tank.

If no one is around the chromis all have their own hiding areas around the tank. Slowly they come out once the find someone is watching and can potentially feed them.

 

[cmsurfr22]

they are very suceptable(sp?) to ammonia burn from shipping or carrying them home in a small bag. they usually get blood spots on thier sides from this and die within a couple days.

 

[boviac]

So lets see I've had eight initially and found sustainability at four. So there you have it.

 

[Wee-Reef Master]

Thanks to all for your responses. It's been very insightful. I think I'll try it again. Wish me luck!

 

[CaliforniaDreamer]

Yes, unfortunately an inexpensive fish handled that way. They are often shipped to many in a bag and suffer for it. I am also sure that the collectors don't treat a chromis with the care they treat a more expensive angel or butterfly. I have found they are very durable once they have acclimated to the tank. However I have bought at least twice as many as have survived past a week. I have also noticed that they are very feisty among themselves and will even challenge one of my clowns on occasion. They seem never to do any real damage through.

 

[Nu2SW]

I bought 3, one died with in a few days. I went back and got 4 and they are all still alive, and its been about 1 week since.

I think my GBTA got it for lunch:-(

 

[Justin74]

Soo many variables before they get inside your tank that they have gone and go through.Cyanide, poor holding and shipping practices, overgrouping before and after they've arrived at the LFS. The life of a 3 dollar fish. Which is very unfortunate as IMO there one of the most suitable schooling fish for our reefs w/ a pretty flashy color at that. So untill this stops you can expect to roll the dice and if you get a 50/50 chance of survival consider yourself a winner. When buying these fish go with the mindset that you are saving there lives. Let them recouperate in your system with high stable standards and your odds may just increase to 60/40 if you play your cards right

-Justin