Chromis, belonging to the family Pomacentridae, are schooling fish often used to add constant movement and a shimmering sense of life to a reef tank. Most species reach about 3 to 4 inches and are characterized by their forked tails and iridescent scales. In the wild, they are found in massive shoals hovering above coral heads, into which they quickly retreat at the first sign of a predator. Unlike their close relatives, the damselfish, most chromis species are relatively peaceful and are one of the few saltwater fish that can be kept in large groups, provided the tank is spacious enough.
In an aquarium setting, chromis are considered quite hardy and also reef-safe. They are active swimmers that prefer the upper and middle layers of the water column, which helps draw shyer fish out of hiding. They are planktivores that require frequent feedings of small, meaty foods like mysis or vitamin-enriched brine shrimp to maintain their high energy levels. While generally docile, they do establish a social hierarchy within their school; in smaller tanks, this can sometimes lead to the dominant fish picking on the weakest individual. To see their best behavior and most vibrant colors, they should be kept in odd-numbered groups of at least five in a well-filtered system with moderate to high water flow.
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