All fish / Pomacentridae

Shortsnout Chromis

Chromis brevirostris

Also known as shortsnout chromis, short-snout chromis, short snout chromis

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This small damselfish was only described in 2008 and lives on deep twilight-zone reefs, usually around 60 to 120 m down. It has a blunt, short snout and a body that shades from blue-grey to yellowish towards the tail. It turns up only now and then through specialist deep-water collectors, so it appeals mainly to keen reef hobbyists who want something unusual.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

6 cm

Temperature

22 to 26 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

200 litres

Keep as

Small group of 3 or more

Diet

Carnivore: zooplankton such as mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods and fine marine pellets, fed several times a day

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western and central Pacific mesophotic reefs (Indonesia, Philippines, Palau, Vanuatu, Fiji and nearby)

Breeding

Like other chromis it most likely lays eggs on a hard surface, with the male guarding them, and the larvae then drift in the plankton. Captive breeding has not been reported and would be very difficult.

Good to know

Fish collected from deep water need careful decompression and a cool, dimly lit tank to settle in, so expect a high price and limited availability. Do not keep it with boisterous tankmates.