Green Chromis
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- Name / Latin
- Green Chromis — Chromis viridis
- Brief description
- A small schooling reef fish of bright green or bluish-green coloration with a forked caudal fin. Inhabits above branching corals, forming dense schools and feeding on zooplankton.
- Size:
- up to 10 cm
- Depth:
- 1–15 m
- Habitat:
- Red Sea, Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean
- Family:
- Pomacentridae
- Type:
- Fish
- Activity:
- diurnal
- Conservation status:
- Least Concern (LC) — not threatened with extinction according to IUCN assessment
The green chromis, also known as the blue chromis, is a small schooling fish reaching 10 cm in length. Its body is oval-shaped, and the caudal fin is forked. Coloration varies from bluish-green to bright green, changing depending on lighting. These fish are famous for their iridescent color, which makes them popular among aquarists.
In their natural environment, green chromis feed on various types of plankton: crustaceans (copepods and amphipods), shrimp larvae, fish eggs, and polychaetes. In summer, their diet becomes more diverse and includes filamentous algae, phytoplankton, and zooplankton.
During spawning, males prepare a nest on sandy bottoms or among coral debris, attracting several females. During this period, their coloration becomes more yellowish. After laying eggs, the male guards the clutch, actively fanning it with fins for better aeration. He also eats unfertilized eggs to prevent the development of microorganisms that could harm the surviving eggs. After 2–3 days, larvae emerge from the eggs.
These fish are widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, and inhabit coral reefs and lagoons at depths from 1 to 12 meters. They form large schools, sometimes numbering hundreds of individuals. They prefer sublittoral lagoons and reef platforms, gathering above branching corals of the Acropora genus, which serve as shelter and resting places at night.
