Description
Red Sea Green Chromis (Chromis viridis)
Overview
The Red Sea Green Chromis is a regional variant of the widely known Green Chromis, celebrated for its shimmering blue-green body that glows under aquarium lighting. Reaching about 8–10 cm (3–4 inches), this fish is active, peaceful, and well-suited to community and reef aquariums. Like other C. viridis, it is best kept in groups where its natural schooling behaviour can be observed.
Origin
Endemic to the Red Sea and nearby areas of the Western Indian Ocean. In the wild, they gather in large shoals above branching corals on lagoons and reef slopes, darting into coral heads for shelter when threatened.
Feeding
The Red Sea Green Chromis is a planktivorous omnivore that adapts quickly to prepared foods:
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High-quality marine flakes and micro-pellets
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Frozen mysis shrimp, cyclops, and enriched brine shrimp
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Finely chopped seafood (shrimp, clam, squid)
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Spirulina or algae-based foods for added nutrition
Feed 2–3 times daily in small amounts.
Tank Mates
Peaceful and community-friendly, they mix well with most reef-safe species:
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Clownfish
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Gobies and blennies
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Small wrasses (reef-safe types)
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Cardinalfish
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Other small chromis
Avoid large, aggressive predators that may see them as food.
Aggression
Peaceful. Best kept in shoals of 5 or more to diffuse any hierarchy-related aggression. If housed in very small groups, stronger individuals may bully weaker ones.
Experience Level
Beginner-friendly. Hardy, colourful, and easy to feed, making them a long-time favourite among both novice and advanced aquarists.
Water Parameters
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Temperature: 24–28°C (75–82°F)
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pH: 8.1–8.4
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Salinity: 1.020–1.025 SG
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Hardness (dKH): 8–12
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Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons (115L) for a small group; larger systems allow for more natural shoaling
Provide plenty of open water for swimming and branching live rock or corals for cover.
Reef Compatibility
Reef safe. Will not harm corals or invertebrates and is an excellent schooling fish to complement reef aquariums.
