Green chromis review wanted

[Ne0eN]

I'd like some comments from anyone who has several Green Chromis Damsels... Are they trully non-agressive when in a school? Are they always in a school, or do they disperse around the tank if there is enough room? My gf is looking for something to bring llife to her 260 tank. So far she got:

 

1 Yellow Tang

1 Blue Hippo Tang

2 Tomato Clowns

2 Firefish

2 Purple Firefish

 

We're looking at adding about 7-8 of these to create some movement. Any other recommendations? She wants peaceful fish that will not eat each other.

 

Thanks,

 

-Rob

[pedalpower]

I have 4 in 90 and three out of four tend to stay together. They usually hover in the middle of the tank. As far as aggression towards other fish, I have not seen any. Even though my Ocellaris clownfish are constantly striking out at them (because they tend to hang around their spawing area). I hope that helps

[davelin315]

I had a group of 4 in a 125 before and they did not school. I think I have read that they are not truly schooling fish, but will group together if you have enough of them (more like 10-12). I personally think they are somewhat boring as they are really not flashy (although they are reflective under good lighting, ha ha) and they don't really do much - compared to other fish, they have relatively little in the way of personality. Not worth it, in my opinion. I'd get something more fun and active.

[Lee Stearns]

Lyre tail Anthias (squamosa)- one male and three females- Nothing says a reef like these guys swiming over it- They are far prettier in person than most of the pictures depict them. They are less prone to jumping and and carpet surfing. My tank really calmed down once I added these guys- changed the nature of every one in the tank- they all swim about more and are less skittish with these swimmers in the tank.

[flowerseller]

I have 4 royal grammas. Lookes like yellow fish dipped in fuchia paint or viceversa.

While they have their own spots, they are often out in a group, especially when "people" are schooling around the tank. They think impending food.

 

As far a chromis, anyone that's had them will report that if you start with say 5 or more, they will school, then 1 dissapears, then another, then another and soon you have 1, which ofcouse "schools" with itself.

 

Never met anyone who's had multiple chromis for long/1 year periods but......

Here they come....

[BeltwayBandit]

I have a school of 5 that I have had for about 8 months or so. I like them because they are usually out and under my halides they do shimmer a bit. They do tend to hang out together in a group of 3 or 4. There is always 1 or 2 off on their own. I also like that they add some movement and are much cheaper than anthias. As far as agreession, these guys are milktoast. They run from anything.

 

Just my experience.

[Guest clownfish4]

Rob, ditch the chromis. They are all born female but have the ability to turn male(but not back to female.) By time we get them most have switched and that is why there is aggression. The most dominant one will pick off the weakest over and over until there is only one left.

[HowardofNOVA]

Bob and Pam,

Go with Lee says for Lyre tail Anthias (squamosa)- 1male and 3-5 females

or

what Chip recommends for the Royal Gramma school, you can get them at Reeftopia for about $7-8 each. Very cheap and cool when small.

 

I down to 3 of my original 7 over the last year and when they go, I don't plan on replacing them. Believe other fish that I would get to school

INCLUDING

B/W Heniochus Depherates from Vivid Aquariums, I would p/u about 3-5 of them in your tank. Would be awesome!

Howard

[davelin315]

Watch out for the anthias, as you'll need to feed them a lot to keep them healthy. I have never successfully kept them, although I'm going to try it again with my 300 when it's set up. In my 125, they never lasted, not enough food for them.

 

You also might want to try Bangaii cardinals. Get a longspine urchin which is what they typically live amongst, and they'll school around it so to speak. They are also less territorial, you can sex them so that you only have one male, and they are almost always out and won't bother anything else. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive and readily available (captive bred!) and add a lot more flash to a tank than chromis.

[Guest clownfish4]

Watch out for the anthias, as you'll need to feed them a lot to keep them healthy.  I have never successfully kept them, although I'm going to try it again with my 300 when it's set up.  In my 125, they never lasted, not enough food for them.

 

You also might want to try Bangaii cardinals.  Get a longspine urchin which is what they typically live amongst, and they'll school around it so to speak.  They are also less territorial, you can sex them so that you only have one male, and they are almost always out and won't bother anything else.  Plus, they are relatively inexpensive and readily available (captive bred!) and add a lot more flash to a tank than chromis.

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I have to disagree with this. Bangaiis do not school and once a pair is made they will attack the rest. You could go with pajama cardinals but they are kind of boring. Just sit there and what not. The anthias schools are also cool but they do tend to require a lot of work. Royal grammas also have become quite territorial against eachother in my experience. Heniochus school sounds good though.

[eddi]

Rob,

 

I have had 8 green chromis in my 360 for almost three years now and not only they school, they are non aggressive and are always out and about. They are not afraid, in fact more than once one of them has jumped in the cup at feeding time. I have thoroughly enjoyed them.