Clown fish and Blue Green Chromis compatibility

[Brieninsac]

I'm working on a stocking plan for a new tank. I want to start with more passive fish and work up from there. If I start with 2 Clown fish how will they be with a some Blue Green Chromis added later? I'd also like to add a Royal Gramma after the Chromis. Tank size is 73 gals.

 

[Ebone]

they will be fine... gramma may not get along with others that dwell in caves.... my goby/pistol ate my gramma

 

[FishN00b83]

I would say that the blue/green chromis thing never works out how people want it to. You always have to buy a dozen and let them kill each other off until one or two are left. I honestly believe they are not meant to be kept in groups. If you're looking for long term success, i would avoid the chromis.

 

[D-Nak]

I would say that the blue/green chromis thing never works out how people want it to. You always have to buy a dozen and let them kill each other off until one or two are left. I honestly believe they are not meant to be kept in groups. If you're looking for long term success, i would avoid the chromis.

I think there are a few caveats to this.

1. Chromis seem to do really well with Anthias, and often school together. The larger group helps to dissipate some of the tension amongst the chromis so there is less fighting.

2. Buying chromis at the same time and all are around the same size helps. This way the largest one won't bully the smallest ones, though there is still a hierarchy.

3. Having a fish that the chromis deem as a predator works to keep the school tight and pre-occupied. A blue throat trigger is a perfect example of this. However, unless you find a really small one, it's going to be a tight fit in a 73 gallon tank.

 

[FishN00b83]

I think there are a few caveats to this.

1. Chromis seem to do really well with Anthias, and often school together. The larger group helps to dissipate some of the tension amongst the chromis so there is less fighting.

2. Buying chromis at the same time and all are around the same size helps. This way the largest one won't bully the smallest ones, though there is still a hierarchy.

3. Having a fish that the chromis deem as a predator works to keep the school tight and pre-occupied. A blue throat trigger is a perfect example of this. However, unless you find a really small one, it's going to be a tight fit in a 73 gallon tank.

Interesting I havent heard of the anthias thing before. The predator/schooling is obvious but having that is always a risk to the other fish.

I havent personally tried it just because of all the failed attempts you read about and to me it's just not worth the risk. It doesnt mean it's going to happen, but I can put a group of other fish (anthias) in and not have to worry half as much.

 

[Brieninsac]

So basically I don't have to worry about the Clownfish harassing the Chromis, it's more about the Chromis picking on each other.

 

[D-Nak]

Interesting I havent heard of the anthias thing before. The predator/schooling is obvious but having that is always a risk to the other fish.

I havent personally tried it just because of all the failed attempts you read about and to me it's just not worth the risk. It doesnt mean it's going to happen, but I can put a group of other fish (anthias) in and not have to worry half as much.

I didn't believe in the anthias and chromis relationship either, but I saw it first hand in my friend's tank. I also Googled "chromis anthias" and a ton of photos popped up showing them interacting in the wild.

I should clarify that the predator is one that the chromis feel is a predator, but is not a true predator. I used the blue throat trigger as the example because they are generally considered reef-safe (unlike most triggers) and won't harm the chromis.

So basically I don't have to worry about the Clownfish harassing the Chromis, it's more about the Chromis picking on each other.

Exactly. But keep in mind that some clowns are more aggressive than others, and if paired and mated they can become more territorial, especially when guarding a clutch. Percula and ocellaris seem to be the most docile (though paired Darwins can be very aggressive) and the other end of the spectrum are maroon clowns, which are just MEAN.

 

[Fish Keeper82]

I have an eight year old chromis that nips at my ocellaris clown. Weird thing he only nips at one of my clownfish and not the other. Chromium is 8 years old and a bit bigger than the clowns.

 

[Indymann99]

I have had 4x Blue Green Chromis for 4yrs.

My Clown fish can hold their own with the Chromis no prob

I did start with 5x Chromis in QT and only 4x came out... after 6 weeks

I do have a "dither" fish, my Blue Hippo. When any of the Chromis get in a fight the Hippo breaks up the fight.

I think a big factor in keeping them is that each has its own place to sleep. Plenty of spots in the LR seems to mean no fighting at night.