Bicolor chromis
Chromis margaritifer
A boldly two-toned reef damselfish that holds its own in a community tank.
About
The bicolor chromis (Chromis margaritifer) is one of the more visually distinct members of the Chromis genus, wearing a sharp contrast of dark brown to black on the front half of the body and clean white on the rear. A pattern that makes it easy to pick out against a busy coral backdrop. It's native to the Indo-West Pacific, where it congregates in loose aggregations above coral heads and along reef slopes, feeding on zooplankton drifting in the current. In the aquarium, it shares the generally peaceful reputation of its Chromis relatives, though like most damselfishes it can show a bit of attitude, particularly toward similar-looking tankmates or in tighter quarters. Keeping a small group tends to spread out any aggression and mirrors the schooling behavior you'd see on the reef. It's rated as an intermediate species, which is a fair assessment. Not because it's particularly delicate, but because it does best when water quality is consistently maintained and it has room to move. A well-established reef or fish-only system with good flow suits it well. It's a solid choice for a hobbyist ready to move beyond the beginner stage.
Similar species
Other fish you might consider
Good tank mates
Species that tend to coexist peacefully with Bicolor chromis
Frequently asked questions
- Is the Bicolor chromis aggressive?
- The Bicolor chromis is generally peaceful and suits a community tank with similarly calm tankmates.
- What does the Bicolor chromis eat?
- The Bicolor chromis is a filter feeder. It eats tiny particles suspended in the water and usually needs target feeding in a home tank.
- Is the Bicolor chromis reef safe?
- The Bicolor chromis is generally considered reef safe.