Blue/Green Reef Chromis

ReefTank327

New member
I have a 66 gallon reef tank with 2 ocellaris clownfish, 2 banggai cardinals, a royal gramma, and a tail spot blenny. I plan to add some sort or mandarin/dragonet and a couple of other small reef safe fish. I was thinking about some blue/green reef chromis. I read that if you keep them in a school, as they grow, the dominant ones will kill of the rest and you will end up with one or two. So, my question is, can I keep just 1 or 2? If anybody has other fish suggestions that would be nice. (No wrasses or jumpers because I do not have a lid). Thanks! :lol2:
 
Yes, you can keep just one blue/green reef chromis, but they just don't look all that nice kept singly - there are better options for additional fish for your aquarium. I would also skip the mandarin/ dragonette, unless you are able to obtain a captive-bred individual or have experience training them to target feed - they tend to starve with typical feeding regimens in a reef tank.

A single (or confirmed pair) of firefish would probably work, although grammas and tailspot blennies can occasionally harass timid fish in smaller aquariums once established - yours might be big enough though (and hopefully covered, as they tend to jump).

As for (relatively) peaceful damselfish, there are a few that are considered much less problematic - take a look at Allen's, azure, neon, Roland's, Talbot's, and Tracey's. There are a few others, such as Starck's and canary, that are much more expensive and relatively rare, but are worth it.

You could also consider a shrimp goby, a smaller fairy/ flasher wrasse (if you have a cover, which you should regardless to be honest), a smaller hawkfish (Falco's or flame), or one of the smaller/ relatively peaceful dottybacks such as an elongate, sunrise, or Springer's (might not work with the gramma though).

You can also keep more than one royal gramma, but ideally they should all be introduced at the same time. If you have an introduction box (and your current gramma is not very large and mature yet), you could possibly introduce 2-3 additional grammas to the tank, but that might be pushing it in terms of stocking levels.

Your best bet might be a firefish, 1-2 damsels, and a shrimp goby or small hawkfish, added all at once (after proper QT of course) to ensure any aggression is not focused on just one fish.
 
Damsels in the Chrysiptera family are generally considered more peaceful of the bunch. Talbots, Azures, Starcki, etc. There may be others of course but that is the family that I've kept and more or less got along.
 
Yes, you can keep just one blue/green reef chromis, but they just don't look all that nice kept singly - there are better options for additional fish for your aquarium. I would also skip the mandarin/ dragonette, unless you are able to obtain a captive-bred individual or have experience training them to target feed - they tend to starve with typical feeding regimens in a reef tank.

A single (or confirmed pair) of firefish would probably work, although grammas and tailspot blennies can occasionally harass timid fish in smaller aquariums once established - yours might be big enough though (and hopefully covered, as they tend to jump).

As for (relatively) peaceful damselfish, there are a few that are considered much less problematic - take a look at Allen's, azure, neon, Roland's, Talbot's, and Tracey's. There are a few others, such as Starck's and canary, that are much more expensive and relatively rare, but are worth it.

You could also consider a shrimp goby, a smaller fairy/ flasher wrasse (if you have a cover, which you should regardless to be honest), a smaller hawkfish (Falco's or flame), or one of the smaller/ relatively peaceful dottybacks such as an elongate, sunrise, or Springer's (might not work with the gramma though).

You can also keep more than one royal gramma, but ideally they should all be introduced at the same time. If you have an introduction box (and your current gramma is not very large and mature yet), you could possibly introduce 2-3 additional grammas to the tank, but that might be pushing it in terms of stocking levels.

Your best bet might be a firefish, 1-2 damsels, and a shrimp goby or small hawkfish, added all at once (after proper QT of course) to ensure any aggression is not focused on just one fish.

Thanks! As for the mandarin, I have been adding copepods to the tank every month. Probably will let them reproduce for about 6 more months before a mandarin is added.

I will definitely look into an azure damsel, very pretty fish!
 
Thanks! As for the mandarin, I have been adding copepods to the tank every month. Probably will let them reproduce for about 6 more months before a mandarin is added.

I will definitely look into an azure damsel, very pretty fish!

Well, that proposed mandarin will go through copepods in your tank in short order - you would have to commit to adding them repeatedly in order to ensure a constant supply. Mandarins are "constant consumers" - i.e. they feed all day long. They tend to do well without direct feeding in very large, mature reef aquariums without food competitors if procured as wild-caught.

Captive-bred individuals tend to be easier as they have usually been "converted" to alternative food sources, but it does not change their physiology, meaning they still tend to feed throughout the day. I strongly suggest you consider an alternative, at least for wild-caught examples.
 
I'd stay away from the firefish as they are super timid. You might have gotten away with one if it were the first fish but adding one to a smaller tank with Bangaii cardinals and ocellaris clowns is not likely to work. It will probably just hide except at meal times.
Myles
 
I'd stay away from the firefish as they are super timid. You might have gotten away with one if it were the first fish but adding one to a smaller tank with Bangaii cardinals and ocellaris clowns is not likely to work. It will probably just hide except at meal times.
Myles


Being you mentioned the bangaiis, I have had them for about a week and they will not come towards the front of the tank. They stay behind the live rock and in the back corners. Is this normal for them to be shy/timid?
 
Blue/Green Reef Chromis

It seems you have already ruled out blue green chromis but I have a trio of 3 in my 90 gallon who seems to be doing great, going on around 6 months now. It seems that if you can keep them well feed with multiple feedings (3 plus a day in my case) and have some more semi- aggressive fish, to protect themselves, the chromis, will not fight each other.It seems that instead they shoal together because of the more aggressive or larger fish for protection and since they are in such a small group and received plenty of food find no reason to bicker amongst themselves and killing each other off. I also notice that when I don't feed as often or miss a feeding they will start to chase each other. I don't know if I am just lucky or if the extra feedings smaller group and larger fish help at all, is just something I noticed.

I too have a pair of cardinals and have noticed the odd behavior of them sitting in the corners in my tank and others, thought as time progressed they adjusted and now hover all over the tank. I think they are just acclimating to the tank.




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It seems you have already ruled out blue green chromis but I have a trio of 3 in my 90 gallon who seems to be doing great, going on around 6 months now. It seems that if you can keep them well feed with multiple feedings (3 plus a day in my case) and have some more semi- aggressive fish, to protect themselves, the chromis, will not fight each other.It seems that instead they shoal together because of the more aggressive or larger fish for protection and since they are in such a small group and received plenty of food find no reason to bicker amongst themselves and killing each other off. I also notice that when I don't feed as often or miss a feeding they will start to chase each other. I don't know if I am just lucky or if the extra feedings smaller group and larger fish help at all, is just something I noticed.

I too have a pair of cardinals and have noticed the odd behavior of them sitting in the corners in my tank and others, thought as time progressed they adjusted and now hover all over the tank. I think they are just acclimating to the tank.




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Thanks! I have definitely not ruled out chromis yet (I think they are really pretty fish). I am thinking I will get 2 of them. I would like to have a larger school but I don't want to overstock my tank. As for the cardinals, I really hope they start to come out more. I have noticed that when my lights change from white to blue before they shut off for the night, the cardinals will start to sneak up the sides of the live rock but they shoot right back to their corners when someone in the room moves. I think they should (hopefully) get better with time.
 
No problem, Glad to hear you still want the chromis having a couple really looks good and is always a eye catcher in my opinion. Yeah same thing with my cardinals where always scared of movement and people but after a week or two they were out and about and come right up when it is time to feed. Any way good luck.


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No problem, Glad to hear you still want the chromis having a couple really looks good and is always a eye catcher in my opinion. Yeah same thing with my cardinals where always scared of movement and people but after a week or two they were out and about and come right up when it is time to feed. Any way good luck.


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Thanks for all the help!
 
The cardinals will be more active at night and dimmer light. Just hanging out during the day is normal. As long as they are eating I would not worry.
Myles
 
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