All fish / Pomacentridae

Spiny Chromis

Acanthochromis polyacanthus

Also known as spiny damselfish, spiny puller, spiny chromis damsel, bicolour spiny chromis, yellow spiny chromis, acanthochromis, アカントクロミス, 棘光鳃鱼, 多刺棘光鳃鲷

A sturdy, deep-bodied damselfish whose colour varies a lot by locality, from all dark brown to bicoloured brown and white or even yellow forms. It is kept for its hardiness and above all for its unusual parenting, as it is one of very few marine fish that guards its young openly after they hatch.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Aggressive

Adult size

11 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair

Diet

Omnivore: mysis and brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality marine pellets and flakes, some algae-based foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 10 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, northern and eastern Australia (Great Barrier Reef), Solomon Islands

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs in a cave or crevice and, unusually for a reef fish, there is no planktonic larval stage; the fry hatch as miniature adults and are herded and defended by both parents for weeks. This makes it one of the easiest marine fish to breed in a home aquarium, and fry can be raised on newly hatched brine shrimp and fine foods.

Good to know

Adults become territorial and aggressive, especially when breeding, so avoid keeping them with small or timid fish. Several colour forms exist and are sometimes sold under different names despite being the same species.