Blackbar Chromis (Chromis retrofasciata)

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Blackbar Chromis
Chromis retrofasciata
Blackbar Chromis (Chromis retrofasciata)
Name Blackbar Chromis
Name Lat. Chromis retrofasciata
Family Damselfishes
Family lat. Pomacentridae
Order Ovalentarias
Order lat. Ovalentaria inc. sed.
Origin Western Pacific
Habitat Seaward reefs
Diet Omnivore
pH 8.1-8.4
Hardness 8-10 °KH
Behavior Peaceful
Keeping Individual, group
Reef Compatible Yes
Care Level Easy
Life Span 3-5 years
Protection No
Metric Units
Size 5 cm
Temperature 23-27 °C
Salinity 33-36 ‰
Aquarium ~ 250 l
US Units
Size 2"
Temperature 73-81 °F
Salinity 1.020-1.025 sg
Aquarium ~ 65 gal

Distribution and habitat

The distribution area of Chromis retrofasciata is the west specific from Indonesia over the Ryukyu Islands to New Caledonia and Tonga. They usually live singly or in small groups on coral-rich outer reefs even at greater depths.

Maintenance

They need a well-structured aquarium with a reef structure that allows for territoriality and at the same time offers hiding, resting and covering possibilities, with living stones that act like a biological filter and sufficient swimming space. Only lime-rich, heavy metal-free substrates may be used as substrate

Filters, skimmers and heaters are necessary to ensure water quality, as well as pumps to simulate tides, swells and bottom currents. Lighting must match the species-appropriate day-night rhythm of the animals

Salinity: 33-36 ‰ pH value: 8.1-8.4
Carbonate hardness: 8-10 °KH Nitrate content: 2-8 mg/l
phosphate content: 0.01-0.1 mg/l nitrite content: 0.0-0.05 mg/l

For salinity, an average value should be aimed for, which may only vary slightly by +/- 0.5 ‰. Ammonia and ammonium must not be measurable. Special attention must be paid to constantly good water quality.

Diet

They feed mainly on zooplankton, but also need plant food. The feed change usually succeeds without problems. The food supply should consist of a commercially available, vitamin-enriched, frozen special food mix for plankton eaters or a combination of algae (e.g. spirulina, kelp) with live and frozen food, such as small mysis, krill, bosmids, cyclops and artemia. High quality dry food in flake or granular form with a high vegetable content is also usually well accepted. It is recommended to feed small portions several times a day (3-5 times).

Regular and varied feeding promotes health and increases resistance.

Behaviour and compatibility

They can be kept individually, but it is better to maintain a group of at least 3 animals. To avoid ranking fights, they should be put into the aquarium at the same time. Dominant males behave territorially at spawning time and consistently defend their territory. They can be well socialized with other peaceful fish.

Sex dimorphism

There are no known external distinguishing characteristics.

Reproduction and breeding

There are no known reports of successful breeding in the aquarium.

Important

It is recommended to keep these reef dwellers together with corals and not to keep them in a fish-only aquarium.

If different species are kept together, make sure that the fish match each other in terms of water quality and temperature requirements as well as their social behavior, and that the setup meets the needs of all species kept together. Newly introduced fish must be acclimated slowly to the water in the aquarium

Further literature can be found in your pet store.

References

Text: Werner Winter; Image: Franz Lowak

Source: KUITER, DEBELIUS (2007): Atlas der Meeresfische: Die Fische an den Küsten der Weltmeere, Kosmos Verlag; ENGELMANN (2005): Zootierhaltung - Tiere in menschlicher Obhut: Fische, Verlag Harri Deutsch

  • Gemäß § 21 Abs. 5 Tierschutzgesetz idgF