Chromis; there can be only one?

[Ostara]

Have you considered these:

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+1634+3078&pcatid=3078

I've had a shoal (x18) of them for about a year now and I've only lost one. Not only are they much hardier than the traditional C.viridus but they are also much less aggressive toward each other too.

I always find myself seconding Ivy on this topic.

I'll add that the black axils are also much prettier than the green chromis, with a bright glittering blue green coloration that looks fantastic under reef lighting. I've experimented with both species in groups individually and together. The black axils are not only less aggressive, but they also shoal better, grow slower, and stay smaller in my experience. They're excellent little fish.

 

[IdahoGuy]

When I worked at a LFS, I noticed these and Bangaii's died more than any other fish.

 

[Terra Ferma]

Viridis can make a great schooling fish. Keep in mind that depending on the size of the tank they may think they are schooling even though it doesn't look like it to you (they don't always school like baitfish being chased by tuna like you see on an ocean documentary).

The trick is getting healthy fish and feeding them well in the first few months. In nature they retreat into coral heads when chased. This makes them difficult to capture without chemicals. They are also one of the cheapest fish collectors offer from Indonesia and the Phils. As a result DOAs are not a huge concern and they get shipped in these almost unbelievably tiny bags. So most of the time you aren't getting the healthiest specimens. I'm not sure how they collect them in Tahiti but the ones from there usually come in big and much more healthy. They cost a lot more but the mortality rates are low in my experience.

Feed them like anthias - in nature they are picking away at plankton and algae all day so only eating twice per day is kind of out of their comfort zone.

 

[Wolverine]

Viridis can make a great schooling fish. Keep in mind that depending on the size of the tank they may think they are schooling even though it doesn't look like it to you (they don't always school like baitfish being chased by tuna like you see on an ocean documentary).

There's a difference between not acting like our typical image of a school and actively killing each other.

 

[SantaMonica]

Feeding worked for me too. Before frequent feeding, could ever only keep one. After liquid food dosing every 20 minutes, could keep 5 or 6. Add in micro pellets once a day, could keep 10 for a year. Stop pellets, goes down to 9. Cut liquid feeding in half, goes to 8.

 

[rssjsb]

Feeding worked for me too. Before frequent feeding, could ever only keep one. After liquid food dosing every 20 minutes, could keep 5 or 6. Add in micro pellets once a day, could keep 10 for a year. Stop pellets, goes down to 9. Cut liquid feeding in half, goes to 8.

What do you mean by liquid food? Can you explain your autofeeding setup?

 

[dpstrand]

Can chromis be mixed species and still get along? I was thinking about getting a few of the more docile black axils mentioned in this thread along with a blue reef chromis or two.

 

[SantaMonica]

Just various powder foods like copepods, rotifers, phyto, mixed with water and sodium alginate and kept in a wine cooler. It is dosed with an peristaltic pump every 20 minutes.

Chromis sit there, pointed at the hose, waiting for the next dose.

 

[Indymann99]

I started out with 6, 2 died in QT and have had 4 for 3years now.

video below

http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn10/Indymann99/?action=view&current=Chromislove.mp4

I see 2 of them spawning all the time but nothing seems to come of it...

The Blue Hippo tang does chase the Chromis around the tank so maybe that helps..

Also each one ALWAYS goes back to its own hiding spot for the night. The exact same spot every night... funny to watch the mad dash for the rocks when the daylight lights go out.

 

[Toxic Slurpee]

Started with 3, turned into 2 very quickly. Been sitting at the same 2 now for over a year.