chromis! Those little !@#$

[paulamrein]

Is there any fish that school that is cheap and doesn't systematically take themselves out at a rate of 1 a week. Started out with 6 and down to 3 in 3 weeks. I have read that they are subsided if you feed them more often. I am already feeding them 3 times a day. If I don't want to do a water change every day that's all I can do. What are my other options, I know we had a similar conversation a few months back, but I can't find the thread. I'm wanting to stay under 10$ a fish and normal feedings so that takes out Anthias and Grammas. What's left?

 

[azgard]

I believe the key to chromis success is plenty of hiding places and food. Ideally large table tops of acro as this is there normal hiding place.

 

[breutus]

I have had three chomis in a 72 gallon with about 75 pounds of liverock for two years. I do not feed crazy matter of fact it's at most once a day sometimes less when i forget. but i have never had a problem with them. I also have almost no SPS in the tank

 

[frenchie]

had a group of these before they swim in a school, seen them at aquatic treasures, they all eventually went carpet surfing

 

[scbadiver]

I'm not sure about them at all. I've always had them die off but, I've had a pair for the last year, they grew and seemed very happy until last week. I added some more fish to the tank. Nothing big and nothing aggressive toward them but since then the one got mad with a capitol P and has retreated to the corner, hanging there with his nose up and wont eat. Everything else is fat and happy. The other chromis is kinda hanging near him but is still swimming and eating. I figure it's a matter of time before he passes. no clue why either.

 

[Sk8r]

chromis kill off their surplus numbers to fit the tank: if you have too many, you will always end up with the same number.

Schooling is response to threat. You want your chromises to school---put in a blue velvet damsel. [black fish, metallic blue v]. Mean as a junkyard dog but your chromis will spend their energies avoiding her instead of picking on each other.

 

[paulamrein]

As of right now, they are in a 10g QT. They are going in the main system in 2 weeks. I guess I'll try to replenish their numbers as they come. I was looking at the bar gobies too d.french, but I have an open system, and thought they would be the first to catch the high road to a cat's stomach.

 

[scbadiver]

Not sure about that either Sk8r. When I first set up my tank, a 240 with a few hundred punds of rock, I had 6 one inch chromi's and a yellow tang and a small yellow tail blue damsel I had for years prior. Plenty of room and food and they all died within a few months yet the other fish were fine.

 

[StephNewman]

I started with six chromis in my 180 and they picked each other off until only two remained and they are coexisting happily together

 

[teetimefun]

Have you thought about glass cardinals (aka threadfin, blue streak)? A little pricier but mine school constantly and have not picked each other off yet (2 months) so far, and in my opinion much more interesting fish.

 

[paulamrein]

Cardinals were an option. The only thing is they are alittle more in price. I'm thinking of dropping the school idea anyway. I'll keep what ever survives from the chromis and move on to the colorful fish that doesn't go Manson on eachother. As I fed the fish this morning I could have sworn I saw little 666 markings on their foreheads. Then the little @#$&$ winked at me and ganged up on the one in the corner.

 

[Dert42]

I have 3 chromies for over a year in my 165.
down from 10.
I guess you just have to find some that get along with each other.
I don't think extra feelings have anything to do with it. I only feed mine once or twice a day.

 

[Charlie's Angel]

I started with seven and am down to 2 that hang out together.