Odd Green Chromis behaviour

[Flame_Angel]

I was observing the fish in my reef today just before the lights went out, and I noticed a group of about 3-4 of my Green Chromis hovering in one spot, heads down, and fins all flared up; they were not moving with the current, they were keeping themselves in one place. They were all parallel with each other, and didn't seem to be fighting or otherwise interacting with each other. They held that pose for a few seconds before noticing me watching them, then scooted off to join the rest of the school (I have about 20 total).

Any thoughts? Haven't seen them do this before.

 

[Flame_Angel]

Bump. They were doing it again this morning, no idea whether it was the same fish or not though.

 

[snorvich]

How much current do you have in this tank? Was this close to their normal feeding time?

 

[Flame_Angel]

It's a 9 foot long tank, two Koralia 8s (2400gph) on either side connected to a wave timer on a gradual alternate pattern. Return is in the middle of the tank, roughly 2000gph.

It wasn't close to a normal feeding. The tank gets fed three times a day, and the last feeding is at 5pm. This was around 8pm.

How much current do you have in this tank? Was this close to their normal feeding time?

 

[snorvich]

If this is close to lights out time, it may be breeding behavior. It sounds as if the group is possibly a harem.

 

[Flame_Angel]

It was literally 30 seconds before the lights went out (they're on a timer), so you may be right. Little chance of anything coming of it with all the fish that are in there, though.

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

Are they just sleeping? Or getting ready to? (i.e. hunkering down for the night)

 

[snorvich]

It was literally 30 seconds before the lights went out (they're on a timer), so you may be right. Little chance of anything coming of it with all the fish that are in there, though.

Right. Excellent fish food though. I have various fish that mate but there is no chance of anything coming of it except fish food.

 

[Flame_Angel]

I have Banggai Cardinals that are mouthbrooding almost constantly, but I never see any free-swimming fry. At least it's a good sign that i'm not totally incompetent with my tank.

 

[pHish6_8]

I have Banggai Cardinals that are mouthbrooding almost constantly, but I never see any free-swimming fry. At least it's a good sign that i'm not totally incompetent with my tank.

If anything does come of it, KUDOS! I'm re-introducing myself to this hobby after a 5+ yr. hiatus, and I couldn't get any breeding behavior at all(back then)...

Good luck, keep us posted...

 

[LobsterOfJustice]

I'm pretty sure chromis are demersal spawners - meaning if they are spawning, you'd see a bunch of eggs on a surface, like clownfish.

EDIT: I'm basing this off what I know about other damsel species.

 

[snorvich]

I'm pretty sure chromis are demersal spawners - meaning if they are spawning, you'd see a bunch of eggs on a surface, like clownfish.

EDIT: I'm basing this off what I know about other damsel species.

If so, they would not last long in most aquaria. I remember diving with Sgt Majors and having them try to blind me when I inadvertently approached a "nest" so you may be right.

 

[tcmfish]

They are demersal spawners. Probably posturing for dominance.