Green Chromis self-destruction??

Lightsluvr · #1 10/15/2007, 10:15 PM

I have read several articles and posts which indicate that the green chromis is a wonderful reef fish and is known for schooling. In the next breath, many writers go on to say that they are also known to kill each other off with some regularity... Even if it's a $5 fish, I would hate to put 7 in a tank one day and wake up to just one survivor...

What's the straight scoop on the green chromis?

Can anyone who has successfully kept them in a reef tank tell us what you did... What works and what doesn't?

Thanks.

LL

sick1166 · #2 10/15/2007, 10:27 PM

i have 18 left 2" long and started of with 24 year and half ago they just have dissappeared over that time never see them nip each other or anything aggressive at all lots of food

Wrench · #3 10/16/2007, 07:53 AM

It's boloney. I've had the same 5 in my tank for a year. They'll chase each other sometimes but they don't kill each other.

green_frogspawn · #4 10/16/2007, 08:24 AM

its not boloney its just that some people have luck with them and other dont and are left with one or two... i have heard that people have better success with them if there is a large number of them in a big tank

sick1166 · #5 10/16/2007, 08:34 AM

the 7 i have lost have nothing to do killing each other just lost them when i first got them 1 here 1 there 1 or 2 over the overflow

wicked_NaCl_h2o · #6 10/16/2007, 10:54 AM

I have had six for about a year now. At first I had 7 but that one died because it wasn't very healthy and didn't stay with the other group. I guess the other chromis don't like unhealthy fish in their shoal and bit its fin off. If I had a QT at the time I would still have 7. They tend to pick on the weak fish and they fight less when I feed them more often. I feed them two or three times a day. This is probably why I have all six still. Every day I inspect our chromis to make sure nothing is wrong with them. If one starts to get fin problems I take that one chromis out and put them in the QT for a few weeks. Fatten them up and get them as healthy as possible before I put them back in the DT. I had to do that to one chromis that got sucked up into the over flow. Pay really close attention to your chromis..if you find any parasites, missing scales, ripped fins, ..put them in you QT and you'll have as much success as I have..They say to keep them in odd numbers in order to keep them from killing each other off. Well thats a myth ..I have six and they seem to be happy with that number

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Apparition · #7 10/16/2007, 12:45 PM

I think that it's a myth brought on by how they are kept. In large, well established tanks, I've seen groups last years. However, in smaller tanks they do get aggressive as they get older (it is in the damsel family), but with a large group in a large tank, I've never seen it as a problem. Numbers can dwindle from other reasons, but I don't think it's natural for them to kill eachother over time.

Another factor that might help is keeping them in their school which is usually accomplished by keeping a predator in the reef. Something safe like a blue chin or crosshatch trigger can keep them schooling and getting along while not actually posing much of a threat.

Featherdusters · #8 10/16/2007, 05:12 PM

I have five in my 125G. I think the key is to keep a large number of chromis (mine is considered small), have lots of room/hiding spots and keep other active tank mates. Once in a while they will nip at each other, but they don't cause extreme damage or anything that may lead to death. I found that after I added my clowns that my chromis actually nipped less. Its because my clowns didn't like the chromis chasing each other all over the tank. Also, make sure they don't have to fight for food. I spread my food all over my tank so they aren't trying to go for the same area.

FOREIGNER · #9 10/16/2007, 05:33 PM

I bought 5 and they killed each other slowly, even chased my Percula clown made him jump out of the tank. Solution, got a mean black saddleback that chased them around, Hate chromis!!

Featherdusters · #10 10/16/2007, 08:16 PM

I forgot to add that luck plays a large role. Although this applies to any fish. All fish have the potential of being bullies. Some have evil damsel chromis, while others have peaceful chromis (at least to other fish species). My chromis were added to my tank without my knowledge (made the mistake of asking my mother to pickup some fish supplies). I was going to remove them right away but they are very hard to catch. I gave up trying to catch them and left them in there.

Some positive points:
They create such a large feeding frenzy that any new fish I add thinks my food is greatest on earth.
They act as great dither fish and even my shy goby likes to explore. My royal gramma even schools with them sometimes.
I have never seen them nip at my other fish.

jda · #11 10/17/2007, 01:05 PM

I have tired 10+ chromis a few different times. I always end up with just a few. The smallest tank that I tried them in was a 125G.

reef_doug · #12 10/17/2007, 05:59 PM

I have 7 in a 180g. IMO the key is to have strong current, then they will school and cut down on the aggression towards each other. Also get them all about the same size.

I have 2 x 6100 + wavebox.